PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia has hit President Joe Biden's national vaccine target two weeks early.
More than 70% of adults in the city have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, new cases of the virus have hit a new low.
Philadelphia health officials say 875,000 adults have gotten at least one shot, and nearly 700,000 are fully vaccinated, about 56% of adults in the city.
Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement that he's very proud, but won't be satisfied until every eligible Philadelphian is fully vaccinated.
The high vaccination rate is showing in other indicators about the virus. New cases are averaging 30 a day, from a high last fall of more than 1,000.
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The positivity rate for tests is 1%. And there are 81 people hospitalized for the virus, the lowest number since the very first days of the pandemic.
Interim Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole warned against complacency, noting the new Delta variation is afflicting younger people in Great Britain, though it hasn't been found here.
Efforts to entice more people to get vaccinated through the city's sweepstakes advanced, with the selection of the first round of winners.
The University of Pennsylvania is reaching out to them now to verify their vaccination status. If they haven't received a dose, they won't get the prize money and another winner will be chosen.
Meanwhile, the next targeted zip code where residents have a much higher chance of being chosen, is 19133 in North Philadelphia.
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