PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 469 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 137,500. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 140 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.

The Department of Public Health confirmed 10 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,452. Of the 3,452 total deaths, 1,195 (35%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 481 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 55 on ventilators.

City to Relax Some Safer-at-Home Restrictions Starting May 7: In response to the number of new COVID-19 cases beginning to fall in Philadelphian and the region, the Health Department announced a series of changes to the City’s Safer-at-Home restrictions.

Beginning Friday, May 7, 2021, the following changes will go into effect, bringing Philadelphia into closer alignment with Pennsylvania:

  • For indoor dining
    • Capacity will be increased from 25%, or 50% if restaurants meet enhanced ventilation standards, to 50%, or 75% if restaurants meet enhanced ventilation standards.
    • Maximum table size will be increased from four to six, and there is no longer a requirement that everyone at the table be from the same household.
  • For outdoor dining
    • Maximum table size will be increased to 10, which is the state limit.
  • For indoor catered events
    • Important to remember that events like indoor weddings are the highest risk.
    • For the first time in more than a year, the City will allow indoor catered social events up to 25% occupancy of space with a cap of 75 persons total.
      • If case rates continue to fall, the City may increase that cap to 150 beginning  May 21.
  • Other gatherings and events
    • Indoor gatherings and events will be able to increase their maximum capacity to 25% of normal capacity and outdoor gatherings and events will be able to increase maximum capacity to 50%.

In all of these situations, the Health Commissioner made a strong recommendation that anyone participating in these higher-risk and higher-density events should be vaccinated first.

Senior Day Services Allowed to Reopen Starting May 1: The Health Department released new guidance on senior day services, also called older adult day centers. Because of the high level of risk for participants in these settings, the Health Department strongly encourages that at least 80% of all participants/seniors and 80% of caregivers and staff are vaccinated at these facilities. All persons must wear either KN95 masks or surgical and cloth masks at all times except during mealtimes, social distancing is required, and capacity is capped at 10 persons per 1,000 square feet with a maximum of 15 people per room. The new guidance can be found on the City’s COVID-19 website here, and goes into effect on Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Please note that adult day centers are different from traditional Senior Centers, which provide services to active seniors in the community. Currently, some Senior Centers in Philadelphia are open for a combination of in-person and virtual services, while others are offering only virtual services. See here for more information.

Sign Up for an Appointment at Any City-run COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic: As part of the continuing efforts to make it easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Philadelphia, the Health Department is now directing people to a single webpage that includes all City-run and FEMA-supported clinics that have open appointment slots. The listings on the web page include the location of the clinic, the hours, how many appointments are available, and what vaccine will be used. The new site can be found here. New clinics are being added all of the time, so people are encouraged to check the webpage often.

Public Transit Options to City-run COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics: Public transit is a key component of ensuring equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine at the Center City Vaccination Center and Esperanza Community Vaccination Center and other community-based sites. This web-based map shows all transit routes to the vaccine sites and this static map shows frequent routes to the sites.

The following is a list of transit options available to Philadelphians seeking to be vaccinated at either of the FEMA-supported Vaccination Centers.

Public Transit

  • Transportation should not and does not have to be a barrier to access. All City-run and FEMA-supported vaccination clinics are accessible by transit.
  • SEPTA continues to promote safe and healthy travel during the pandemic. Masks are required, and employee-ambassadors will reinforce this mandate and give out FREE masks as part of the Mask Force Philly program.
  • The Center City Vaccination Center is a block away from the SEPTA Jefferson Station and is serviced by 11 Regional Rail lines, the Market-Frankford Subway Line, and 10 different bus routes: 17, 23, 33, 38, 44, 47, 47M, 48, 61, and 62.
  • The Esperanza Community Vaccination Center is serviced by the 47 and 53 bus routes and the Broad Street Subway Line. The closest subway stop is Hunting Park and the closest ADA accessible stop is Allegheny.
  • There is also a FREE express shuttle between the Broad Street Subway Line Allegheny stop and the Esperanza Community Vaccination Center. The shuttle will run on a continuous loop during the clinic hours of operation.
  • The City of Philadelphia will be distributing FREE transit passes at all City-run and FEMA supported sites. Individuals who need help with transportation can ask any City staff member at the clinic for support.
  • The City of Philadelphia is also partnering with community-based organizations to distribute transit passes for vaccine access. If you are interested in distributing transit passes to your community and/or constituents, email oem@phila.gov.
  • For more information about using public transit to get to a community clinic, see this flyer about transportation options.

SEPTA CCT

  • SEPTA, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, has expanded Customized Community Transportation (CCT) service for seniors 65 or older, individuals with disabilities and/or access and functional needs, or anyone who requires a door-to-door vaccination ride accommodation.
  • To qualify, they must be a resident of Philadelphia and be unable to secure transportation otherwise.
  • The service is available to individuals not yet registered with SEPTA CCT.
  • Individuals already registered with SEPTA CCT are also able to request a ride to their vaccination appointment.
  • This service is provided FREE of charge to anyone traveling to any City-run or FEMA-supported vaccination clinic.
  • Individuals can request a ride to their vaccination appointment by contacting Philly311 (dial 3-1-1) and selecting Option 5 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Requests should be made at least 72 hours before the date of the appointment.

Community Shuttle Bus Service

  • Limited community shuttle services are available for communities that have transportation access needs. Shuttle services must be coordinated through a central community organization and requested at least three days in advance. The City is reaching out to community organizations with information about how to organize shuttle services.
  • If you are interested in scheduling a community shuttle bus to travel to a vaccination site, email oem@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 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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