PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 473 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 109,183. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 99 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. 

The Department of Public Health confirmed eight additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 2,955. Of the 2,955 total deaths, 1,114 (38%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 384 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 57 on ventilators.

Business Relief Reminder: The application for the Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program closes today at 11:59 p.m. Businesses can apply online at phila.gov/RGRP. 

Enhanced Ventilation Standards for Restaurants to Increase Capacity: The City announced today that restaurants which certify they meet new ventilation standards can operate their indoor dining at up to 50 percent capacity (above the current 25 percent for all indoor dining) beginning Friday, February 12, once their application is approved. 

Businesses must fill out an application—which is available online today, February 9—attesting to their compliance with the new standards. The Department of Public Health will strive to review and respond to these applications as quickly as possible. The application and a worksheet to help businesses calculate air changes per hour are posted to the Guidance page of the COVID-19 website.

If restaurants have an HVAC system or standalone ventilation unit in use, the following ventilation standards are required to open to 50 percent capacity:

  • HVAC system is fully operational and ventilates the entire indoor dining area.
  • At least 20 percent outside is air circulated by HVAC system.
  • Filtration MERV 11 or higher.
  • At least 15 air exchanges per hour are measured indoors.
  • Exhaust vent has a minimum six-foot clearance from tables, chairs, or other items.

 If restaurants use window fans instead of an HVAC system, at least 15 air exchanges per hour must be measured indoors.

Businesses must submit documentation certifying their establishments meet the ventilation standards from their HVAC maintenance company or the establishment proprietor. During subsequent inspections, the Department of Public Health will validate this information by checking the documentation from the HVAC maintenance company and measuring dining space size, vent sizes, and air flow. 

Vaccine Planning Form for Businesses: The Department of Public Health today launched its Workforce COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Form, which is intended to collect information from Philadelphia-based organizations/companies that are employers of workers who are included in Phase 1b or Phase 1c of the City of Philadelphia’s schedule of priority populations for COVID-19 vaccine. Employers can complete the questionnaire to help inform the Department of Public Health’s plans for distributing vaccine to workers in Phase 1b and Phase 1c. 

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 Form: The City has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form, which residents can use to notify the Department of Public Health that they want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who complete the interest form will be contacted later by the Department of Public Health or one of the City’s vaccine partners when they can schedule an appointment. Due to extremely limited vaccine supply at this time, residents cannot set appointments using this website. However, by registering on the phila.gov/vaccineinterest website, residents can ensure that they will be notified when the vaccine becomes available to them. Individuals who do not have access to the internet can contact the Department of Public Health’s COVID Call Center at 215-685-5488 for help completing the interest form. 

COVID-19 Resources:

  • 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.

 

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