Philly Won't Ease COVID Restrictions April 4 As Figures Rise

Philadelphia PA

23 March, 2021

1:57 PM

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PHILADELPHIA — The city of Philadelphia will not be easing its coronavirus restrictions to match the state's on April 4 due to increasing cases and hospitalizations, officials said Tuesday. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley Tuesday said he is concerned the state is opening up too much and thus said the city will not ease its restrictions to match the state. See details on the state's restrictions here. Farley reported 533 new cases Tuesday, bringing the overall total in the city to 120,490. The week ending March 20 saw an average of 400 cases per day and a 6.1 percent positivity rate, which was up from an average daily case count of 287 and a 5.4 percent positivity rate the week before. As of Tuesday, 318 people are hospitalized in the city with the coronavirus. Farley said hospitals are not under strain, but the increase shows people who are more vulnerable to serious infections are being hit hard. March 7 saw a low point for hospitalizations with 203 people being treated in Philadelphia hospitals. Eight more deaths were reported Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 3,230. With those figures in mind, Farley said he believes adopting the same changes that the state is adopting April 4 would further increase case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, he said if those figures are decreasing around April 30, those restrictions will be eased, but it's unclear if Philadelphia's new restrictions will match the state's. Farley chose April 30 because he projects a 50 percent vaccination rate in adults and a 75 percent vaccination rate for those 65 and older. As of Monday, 446,731 people have been partially vaccinated and 174,894 have been fully vaccinated. On April 4, Farley said food will be allowed to be served at business meetings and will allow outdoor catered events to up to 250 people with restrictions. He urged anyone who plans to attend those types of events to be vaccinated before the do so.