PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health Tuesday announced 615 additional presumptive confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 10,643.
The Department of Public Health again noted clusters of positive cases in congregate settings, including nursing homes, behavioral health facilities, and the Department of Prisons. Five additional inmates have tested positive. The current total of positive cases at correctional facilities is 53.
The Department of Public Health confirmed 29 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 423. Of the 423 total deaths, 220 (52%) were long-term care facility residents.
The Department of Public Health reports 949 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 1,824 people hospitalized in the region (including Philadelphia).
Earth Day Programming and Announcements: Mayor Kenney recognized the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day saying, “Many of you know that young people in Philadelphia organized the first Earth Week in the country back in 1970. The week-long series of demonstrations and workshops became part of the national Earth Day movement that would grow to engage over 20 million people across the U.S. Philadelphia continues to lead on climate. Our ambitious goals to reduce our carbon footprint and become more resilient to the hotter and wetter climate of our future remain unchanged.”
The City’s Office of Sustainability released its Greenworks Review today, which celebrates successes of the past year—with a special focus on engaging youth—and provides resources to help support further action. In addition, Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation continues to hold its Parks & Rec at Home series on Facebook to celebrate Earth Week. For a full list of Earth Week events, activities, and webinars, visit phila.gov/green.
Air Quality Report: The Health Department’s Air Management Services division published a report today showing that levels of three different air pollutants were up to 25% lower since Governor Wolf’s statewide COVID-19 mitigation order. When comparing the month immediately before and since the order, the Health Department found:
- Nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, which can combine with volatile organic compounds and sunlight to produce ozone, which is dangerous to those with asthma and COPD, dropped about 22 percent.
- Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which has been shown to aggravate asthma, dropped about 18 percent.
- Carbon monoxide, or CO, can reduce oxygen delivery in blood and is dangerous to those with cardiovascular disease, dropped by 25 percent.
The Health Department has committed to continuing to monitor the effects of the mitigation and Stay at Home Orders and learn lessons about ways to reduce air pollution in the future.
Solarize Philly: The Mayor also announced the reopening of Solarize Philly. Philadelphians can continue to benefit from the savings, resilience, and economic development made possible by solar. Solarize Philly now includes a Solar Savings Grant Program for low- and moderate-income households and a rebate program.
Update on Philadelphia’s Single Use Plastic Bag Ban: Due to the City’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and and its commitment to ensuring that businesses are as supported as possible when they reopen, the initial effective date of July 2, 2020 is no longer realistic. As a result, the City is pushing back the effective date of the Single Use Plastic Bag Ban to January 1, 2021. For more information, read this blog.
Testing Sites: The City-run location in Center City continues to serve those who are over the age of 50 and are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 coronavirus, as well as health care workers who are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 coronavirus. The site is available by appointment only and a referral is required. Those who meet the criteria and want a test can call (267) 491-5870 to obtain a referral.
There are also more than 20 private testing sites across the city run by hospital systems and other organizations.
COVID-19 Resources:
- City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila.gov/covid-19.
- COVID-19 resources translated in multiple languages.
- Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 722-7112.
- Residents can text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to get updates sent to their phones.
- Find out more about testing for COVID-19.
- Updates and guidance for Philadelphia employees and employers.
- Information and resources for workers.
- The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.
- For Businesses:
- Financial support and additional resources for businesses can be found here.
- Business owners or managers who have questions about the restrictions in the City’s latest Business Activity and Stay at Home Order can email [email protected].
- L&I guidance on construction work following City Business Activity and Stay at Home Order.
- The City is extending filing and payment dates for Real Estate and some business taxes.
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