PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 482 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 124,508. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 87 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.

The Department of Public Health confirmed 12 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,282. Of the 3,282 total deaths, 1,180 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 447 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 56 on ventilators.

City Announces Move to Philadelphia Phase 1c: The City of Philadelphia is moving to Philadelphia Phase 1c on Monday, April 5. Similar to how Philadelphia Phase 1b went into force, four specific groups within the Philadelphia Phase 1c priority list will be prioritized before the other groups in Phase 1c. The Health Department has asked vaccine providers, including pharmacies, to allow these prioritized groups to set appointments. These first four groups are:

  • Sanitation workers
  • Maintenance and janitorial staff
  • Utility workers
  • Postal and package delivery workers

Previously prioritized groups in Philadelphia Phase 1a and 1b are still eligible and are encouraged to seek out vaccination opportunities. Other groups prioritized in Philadelphia Phase 1c, including those in higher education, public-facing finance roles, transportation (including airport and train workers, and taxi and rideshare workers), construction, telecommunications and IT, the press, the legal industry, and public health workers will be made eligible later in April.

As announced previously, the Health Department is strongly encouraging everyone over the age of 65 to be vaccinated as soon as possible, to protect the most vulnerable people during this time of rapidly-rising Covid case rates. The City has notified vaccine providers throughout the city of this recommendation and asked them to do everything they can to vaccinate this vulnerable group.

Friday Briefing with Dr. Farley Canceled Tomorrow: Due to the City’s Good Friday holiday, the Health Department will not be holding their weekly Friday briefing tomorrow, April 2. The normal schedule will resume next week, with briefings on Tuesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

No COVID-19 Update Tomorrow: Due to the Good Friday holiday, no COVID-19 press release will be issued tomorrow, Friday, April 2. Regular updates will resume on Monday, April 5.

Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (April 1-4): In June 2020, the City launched four new options for restaurants to operate outdoor dining in order to earn much needed revenue. To see this weekend’s approved street closures, view this blog. Vehicular traffic should avoid these streets.

City Services Impacted on Good Friday: All City of Philadelphia offices will be closed and City services curtailed Friday, April 2, in recognition of Good Friday. The Departments of Licenses and Inspections, Revenue, and Water will not be accepting appointments or providing in-person services to the public on the Concourse Level of the Municipal Services Building. The City’s eCLIPSE system for online permitting and licensing and online file and payment website at phila.gov/pay remain available 24/7; eCLIPSE will be out of service from 5 p.m. on Monday through 9 a.m. on Tuesday for updates.

Trash and recycling will not be collected on Friday. Residents with collections on Friday should set out their trash and recycling for collection on Saturday, April 3.

The Philly 311 call center will be closed, however, residents can still submit service requests online anytime through the app, web portal, and email. The Water Department Call Center will also be closed, however residents can still call to report water emergencies at (215) 685-6300.

All City District Health Centers are closed on Good Friday, as are the North and Northeast Municipal Service Centers; the Marriage License Bureau; all Philadelphia Parks & Recreation facilities; the Free Library of Philadelphia and all of its branches. Field offices of the Department of Licenses and Inspectors remain closed to non-employees.

The executive offices of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, as well as its Violations branch, at 9th and Filbert Streets will be closed. The Philadelphia Parking Authority will continue to enforce meter parking on Good Friday. All parking regulations remain in effect.

All Philadelphia Department of Prisons facilities remain closed to civilian visitors due to COVID-19 precautions.

City offices will reopen on Monday, April 5, 2021.

Testing Site Map: A testing site finder at phila.gov/testing helps people find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia. Anyone can search for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site information, and filter by day of week and by drive-thru or walk-up.

COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Forms: The City has launched two forms to help Philadelphians register their interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. These forms are not for registering for an appointment, but will tell the Department of Public Health how to contact you when you are eligible and vaccine is available for you.

  • Members of the public are encouraged to register using the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. The form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French. Individuals who do not have access to the internet can contact Philly311 (dial 3-1-1) for help completing the interest form.
  • Employers are encouraged to complete the Workforce COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Form. Employers that complete this form will be contacted to help set up opportunities to vaccinate their prioritized staff when they are eligible and vaccine is available.

COVID-19 Resources:

Resources for Media:

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