The number of new COVID-19 cases has been increasing in the Philadelphia region in recent weeks, with daily numbers topping 800 cases, which is higher than in the spring. As of Wednesday, 50,536 total cases were reported in the city and 1,904 total deaths.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health reminds residents to keep wearing masks, practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible, and wash hands with soap and water. It is also very important to keep an eye out for symptoms and get tested if you experience COVID-19 symptoms (persistent cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of the sense of smell or taste) or have been exposed to someone with the infection.  Continue Reading

St. Francis De Sales Church and Calvary Center are hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Sept. 25. For a limited time, the Red Cross will test all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to donors. There is currently a shortage of “COVID-19 convalescent” plasma needed to treat sick people, so the Red Cross is also seeking fully recovered COVID-19 patients.

The blood drive will be held at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th St.) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

To sign up to be a donor at this drive please go to the Red Cross website. Use sponsor code: St Francis Calvary Community. If you want to save time on the day of the donation please visit www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to pre-register.  Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) is hosting a COVID-19 Zoom Q&A with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Director and COVID-19 Guidance Lead, will present and answer questions.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get first-hand information on the current status of the pandemic, learn what the city is doing to combat the disease, and what safety steps you can take to help minimize risk,” according to SHCA Board President Evan Johnstone. “This is intended as an interactive Q&A session, so please come prepared with questions.”  Continue Reading

Re-opening of indoor dining in Philadelphia has been postponed until at least Sept. 1 due to COVID-19 concerns, according to an announcement by Philadelphia health officials made on Tuesday.

Philadelphia is currently in a modified Green re-opening phase with outdoor dining allowed. Indoor dining was expected to reopen in the city by the beginning of August, however the number of new coronavirus cases has increased in the past two weeks.

Some 142 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 were announced in Philadelphia on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 29,945.  Continue Reading

As was expected, the City of Philadelphia has postponed the Green coronavirus re-opening phase, which had been tentatively planned for July 3, after an uptick in new COVID-19 cases was reported in the city late last week. The new tentative date for the beginning of the Green phase, which includes indoor dining at restaurants and re-opening of gyms and fitness centers, is August 1st, according to City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.

This Friday, the City will allow re-opening of libraries, museums, shopping malls and casinos, as part of a “modified restricted Green phase,” but no food or drinks will be allowed indoors.

Businesses that re-opened on June 26 – barber shops, salons and spas, as well as residential and private swimming pools – will remain open. Outdoor dining at restaurants will also continue to operate.  Continue Reading

Masks or facial coverings should now be worn in all indoor public spaces and outdoors if you can’t keep safe distance (at least six feet) from others , according to a new order by Philadelphia officials. This new rule doesn’t have to be followed if you’re around people in your household and is not mandatory for children under 8 years old. Although it is a requirement, it will not be enforced by police, according to Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.

Philadelphia was expected to enter the Green coronavirus re-opening phase this Friday (July 3), however, this could now be delayed due to an increase in new COVID-19 cases in the city. Some 143 new cases were reported on Friday. Philadelphia officials said on Friday that there may be a second wave of the epidemic developing in the city and that they’re keeping an eye on it before announcing their plans on the Green re-opening phase this week.  Continue Reading