City achieves over 70 percent fully vaccinated rate among Philadelphia adults

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today reported an additional 12,153 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia since last reported on Monday, October 4. This brings the total number of fully vaccinated Philadelphians to at least 872,803, and the number of Philadelphians with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to at least 1,067,864. Currently, 70.3 percent of Philadelphia adults are fully vaccinated, and 86 percent of Philadelphia adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health reports 212 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 25 on ventilators.

In the last two weeks, 2.6 percent of COVID-19 tests in Philadelphia have come back positive. Thus far during the pandemic, 163,672 Philadelphians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 3,892 have succumbed to the virus. Philadelphia is averaging 249 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the last two weeks.

“I’m extremely proud that 70 percent of adults in Philadelphia have heeded the advice of experts and are fully vaccinated from the dangers of COVID-19,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Philadelphia is among the first big cities in our country to reach this important milestone and make no mistake – it did not happen by chance. I want to recognize all the health and outreach workers and volunteers who helped us reach this milestone by engaging with residents and communities and making the vaccine accessible at clinics throughout the city. Your hard work has saved many lives, and we will not relent until all eligible Philadelphians are vaccinated. To those still waiting or undecided, I urge you to find a free vaccination site and vax up today.”

Health Department Announces Vaccine Mandate Accommodation for Healthcare & Higher Ed Institutions: Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced that healthcare and higher education institutions could choose to implement a relaxed deadline for their staff, students, volunteers, and faculty to meet the City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Under the update, all staff in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and everyone in higher education, needs at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by October 15. They will need to undergo enhanced testing until they are fully vaccinated. They must also receive their second dose of COVID vaccine, if needed, by November 15. For staff who work in healthcare settings that aren’t hospitals or long-term care facilities, they need at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by October 22. They will need to be tested twice per week using either antigen or PCR testing until they are fully vaccinated, and must receive their second dose of the COVID vaccine, if needed, by November 22.

For more information on the updated mandate, see the Health Department’s blog post.

City of Philadelphia Municipal Offices Closed on Monday, October 11: The City of Philadelphia will be closed on Monday, October 11 in recognition of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. No COVID-19 press release will be issued on Monday, October 11; the next COVID-19 press release will be issued Thursday, October 14.

Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (October 8-10): In June 2020, the City launched four options for restaurants to operate outdoor dining in order to earn much needed revenue. To see this weekend’s approved street closures, view this blog. Vehicular traffic should avoid these streets.

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