PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 314 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 19,093. 

The Department of Public Health noted continued progress in congregate settings, including nursing homes and the Department of Prisons. No additional inmates have tested positive. The current total of positive cases at correctional facilities is seven. Current and cumulative totals of positive cases in Philadelphia prisons are now posted on the testing and data page of the City’s COVID-19 website. 

The Department of Public Health confirmed 22 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,008. Of the 1,008 total deaths, 544 (54%) were long-term care facility residents. 

Mayor Kenney, in his remarks, said passing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in Philadelphia was “an unfortunate milestone.” The Mayor extended his condolences to all the many family members and friends of those who lost their lives to the virus. “In the last several days, Dr. Farley has characterized the city as being on the downslope of the pandemic,” said the Mayor. “But crossing the threshold of 1,000 deaths is a stark reminder of the need to stay vigilant about social distancing practices. So remember—stay at home, wear face coverings when you do go out, and stay safe.”

The Department of Public Health reports 728 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 1,313 people hospitalized in the region (including Philadelphia).

COVID-19 Recovery Office: Mayor Kenney today announced the formation of the COVID-19 Recovery Office, the City’s coordinated effort to secure federal recovery dollars available to Philadelphia for a wide range of needs caused by the pandemic. “A public health and economic crisis of this magnitude requires a thoughtful and coordinated approach,” said Mayor Kenney. “With the formation of the COVID-19 Recovery Office, we will ensure that our City government is recovering its costs and maximizing the effectiveness of the numerous federal and state grants coming to Philadelphia.” 

The mission of the COVID-19 Recovery Office is to provide a collaborative work structure that ensures Philadelphia is maximizing opportunities to recover its costs and stabilize its economy while supporting City departments in their work. The Office will ensure that recovery efforts adhere to five core values:

  • Accessibility – Present our work transparently and clearly so everyone can understand the process and substance.​
  • Efficiency – Work with urgency, but carefully and efficiently without duplication of efforts. Be accountable for delivering.​
  • Equity – Support our city’s historically disadvantaged communities to address inequities and ensure that all Philadelphians can recover and thrive after the pandemic.​
  • Impact – Use data to inform decisions, measure progress, and achieve maximum available reimbursement related to COVID-19 costs so that Philadelphia’s residents, employers, and government can successfully rebound. ​
  • Integrity – Follow all rules and guidelines, act with honesty, and always work in the best interests of the city as a whole.​

The COVID-19 Recovery Office is chaired by Deputy Finance Director Sarah de Wolf and Deputy Managing Director Chris Rupe. “By forming this Recovery Office and having Sarah and Chris lead it, I am confident that we will be well-positioned to take advantage of the resources that Washington and Harrisburg provide to help us manage through the crisis,” said the Mayor. 

Next steps for the Office include:

  • Continuing to track federal legislation and grant awards/guidance from state and federal agencies.​
  • Working with operating departments and key stakeholders to coordinate grant applications.​
  • Ensuring that program design and critical decisions are made through an equity lens.​
  • Continuing and increasing engagement with key stakeholders, including City Council, through working groups to ensure alignment between the City’s response to funding opportunities and the needs of our communities.​

Additional details about the COVID-19 Recovery Office are available at www.phila.gov/recoverPHL. The site will be updated regularly with information about available resources and reports on how the City is utilizing its grants to support a successful recovery.

​The Mayor also urged federal lawmakers to move quickly on further funding for Philadelphia and other cities that face immediate, and in some cases overwhelming, needs. “While I am grateful for the help that has been provided to help the City recover its costs, we call on our lawmakers in Washington to take further action in the next federal relief bill to help cities like Philadelphia with the revenue shortfalls caused by this pandemic,” he said. “With this assistance, we can ensure Philadelphia is best positioned to recover from this pandemic and thrive in the years ahead.” 

Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund Awards: The City of Philadelphia and PIDC today announced that a total of 2,083 small businesses have been selected to receive $13.3 million from the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. This includes 938 more awards in addition to the 1,145 small businesses previously announced. The Relief Fund received more than 7,200 applications.

The businesses that received awards stretch across Philadelphia, with 56 percent located in low-to-moderate income census tracts. According to self-reported demographic information, 60 percent of awards went to minority business owners, while 32 percent went to woman-owned businesses; 21 percent of business owners who were selected did not respond to the demographic question in the application. A list of recipients as of May 14 can be found here; the list includes only awarded businesses who have completed their agreements, and will be updated as more grant and loan agreements are finalized.

Additional information on the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund and awards made can be found in this press release.

Testing Sites: A list of available testing sites is provided on the City’s website. Click on “Where Can Someone Get Tested?” The list includes private testing sites being run by hospital systems and other organizations across the city, as well as public testing sites. If individuals are not able to get tested through their medical provider or do not have a medical provider, they can be tested at one of the public testing sites listed on the website.

Expanded Testing Standards: The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is now recommending COVID-19 coronavirus testing for anyone regardless of age who has a new cough, is experiencing new shortness of breath, or two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, new loss of taste or smell. The expansion of testing recommendations comes as a result of the increasing availability of coronavirus testing at public health and commercial laboratories. Increased testing for the coronavirus is a key part of the City’s and Pennsylvania’s plan to re-open safely. More details can be found here.

COVID-19 Resources:

Resources for Media:

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