PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 1,240 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 123,012. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 67 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. Today’s case count represents totals for three days, since new cases were last reported on Friday, March 26.

The Department of Public Health confirmed seven additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,251. Of the 3,251 total deaths, 1,175 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 429 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 44 on ventilators.

Type 2 Vaccination Site Announced: The City, along with federal and state partners, today announced that they will establish a second City-managed and federally-supported Community Vaccination Center (CVC) where residents can receive the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine. This site will be located in the Hunting Park neighborhood at Esperanza located at 5th Street and Hunting Park Avenue. It will be equipped to deliver 1,500–2,500 vaccinations per day.

The site is expected to open the week of April 5, and the City will announce the specific date once it is confirmed. Staff at the site will be equipped to assist residents in many different languages or with any access and functional needs.

The Esperanza site was chosen for federal support based on several factors:

  • Philadelphia Department of Public Health Vaccine Data shows that 19140, where Esperanza is located, is a zip code that is in the bottom third of vaccinations in the city and central to the other zip codes in the lowest third.
  • Esperanza fits all vaccine site criteria to include size, infrastructure, accessibility, and availability for a seven day a week operation.
  • The facility is a trusted institution and partner in Philadelphia’s Latin American community.
  • Over 830,000 Philadelphians of all ages live within five miles of this site. Accessibility includes both ADA compliance and mass transit accessibility, as well as proximity to Roosevelt Boulevard and I-95.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal partners are planning to support this site by providing staff, operational assistance, and logistical support. This support is being provided at the request of the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is working with SEPTA to provide additional transportation options intended to improve the access to the site and make it easier for Philadelphia residents to get vaccinated there.

“I am thrilled to see the federal government continue to step up to the plate and support us to help protect every Philadelphian,” said Mayor Kenney. “This new vaccination center is particularly important because it will allow us to better reach under-vaccinated populations, particularly residents of color in North Philadelphia and surrounding communities. I also want to thank the directors and staff of Esperanza for their support in standing up the new clinic. The collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners has been strong throughout this response to allow us to address the needs of Philadelphians. We’re looking forward to getting past COVID-19 and these historic challenges, together.”

“We could not be more excited to see a new major throughput site, like a FEMA Type 2 vaccination clinic, set up in Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “We have three goals for distributing vaccines: do it fast, do it so we can save the most lives, and do it equitably. A site like this, in this neighborhood, is a big step toward achieving those goals.”

COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) Deadline Extended: Online applications for the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) have been extended by one week; the new application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 12. The online application and details about the program’s eligibility requirements are available at PIDCphila.com/CHIRP.

CHIRP is a $145 million statewide grant program created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to alleviate revenue losses and pay eligible operating expenses for certain businesses in the hospitality industry. Eligible businesses include restaurants, food trucks, catering companies, small hotels, and bed and breakfasts. Through the Commonwealth’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED), Philadelphia County is receiving over $17 million in funding to provide grants to eligible businesses through this program. More information on the deadline extension is available in this press release.

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.

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