PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia has once again topped more than 100 daily COVID-19 cases, and health officials presume the Delta variant is now the most prevalent strain in the city.
The city had taken no new steps as of Monday afternoon, despite the heightened risk.
Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said she’s concerned at the increase in new cases and the high rate of increase.
She continued to urge people staying outdoors to socialize, keeping social distance, masking indoors if you are not vaccinated, double-masking if you are not vaccinated and making an appointment for a vaccine as soon as possible.
Dr. Bettigole believes that’s sufficient - for now.
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"We’re talking with other city departments and agencies, we’re talking with partners around the city," said Dr. Bettigole.
"What else we might do, depending on what happens with numbers and how people are doing with the masking...those discussions are ongoing, but no decisions have been made yet."
Dr. Bettigole said the city is also trying to boost its vaccine rate. She said she is working with the school district to get clinics for teens in neighborhood school buildings, and targeting times and locations to reach more young Black adults who are still under-vaccinated.
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Vaccines offer the best protection, but she said vaccinated people can still unwittingly spread the Delta variant, so she recommends testing for anyone with even mild symptoms.
"There are many, many testing sites in Philadelphia, and testing is free," Dr. Bettigole said.
"If you’re symptomatic, if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, come on in and let’s just make sure."