Press release from the City of Philadelphia:
November 23, 2020
Published by: Office of Children and Families, Board of Health, Managing Director’s Office, Department of Public Health, Office of the Mayor, Office of Emergency Management
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications press@phila.gov
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 2,412 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 60,703. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced five new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. Today’s case count represents totals for three days, since new cases were last reported on Friday, November 20.
The Department of Public Health confirmed one additional fatality in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,953. Of the 1,953 total deaths, 925 (47%) were long-term care facility residents.
The Department of Public Health reports 631 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 51 on ventilators.
Thanksgiving Safety: The Department of Public Health strongly encourages Philadelphians to only celebrate Thanksgiving in-person with members of their own household. Breaking bread and giving thanks via Zoom or other online video platforms is still the safest way to celebrate.
When meal planning, Philadelphians should take special care to limit their exposure to others in grocery and other food stores. Try to shop early; there’s no reason to wait until Wednesday. Be sure to wear your mask the entire time, try to shop during off-hours (either early in the morning or late at night), give plenty of distance to others in the store, and remember, if it feels too crowded you can always come back later.
Grocery and food stores should consider expanding hours to allow for more time for people to shop, encourage patrons to shop before Wednesday, to not bring family members with them when shopping, to wear their masks, and to give plenty of distance to others. Stores should also still be following the Department of Public Health’s guidance for retail. The Department of Public Health will be doing outreach and education to grocery stores and other big box retailers this week to remind them of the guidance, review existing practices, and work to implement the new Safer at Home guidance.
Food and Meal Site Updates: Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the regular schedule for many food and meal distributions will change this week. The School District of Philadelphia will be closed for food distribution on Friday, November 27; students and caregivers can instead pick up student meals for the week (five breakfasts and five lunches) on Wednesday, November 25. Food sites listed on phila.gov/food will be closed for food distribution on Thursday, November 26. Broad Street Ministry and Thomas Paine Plaza will be closed for meal distribution on Thursday, November 26. Additional information on alternate food pick up options is available on the City’s website.
Coordination with Muslim Community: The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has signed onto a letter thanking local imams for their adherence to previous COVID-19 recommendations and urging them to follow the City’s new Safer at Home guidance as cases have risen across the region. This letter, written in partnership with ICNA Relief SHAMS Clinic and CAIR Philadelphia, was signed by the Department of Public Health, the Muslim Wellness Foundation, the National Black Muslim Covid Coalition, and Muslim Aid Initiative. The letter details the new Safer at Home recommendations and provides advice on how to safely observe the key obligation of prayers in the mosque while mitigating the spread of COVID-19; it was sent out to Muslim imams, mosque board members, and community leaders. Copies of the letter are available upon request by emailing james.garrow@phila.gov.
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 Resources:
- City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila.gov/covid-19.
- COVID-19 resources translated into 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.
- Businesses with questions about how to comply with the City’s restrictions should email business@phila.gov.
- The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.
Article Courtesy patch.com
