PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s COVID-19 numbers continue to improve and officials say progress is being made in efforts to vaccinate residents. But they stress the need to maintain precautions, including masking up and the ban on indoor gatherings.
Philadelphia is averaging about 380 new cases a day and a 6% positive test rate, according to Health Commissioner Tom Farley. Those are the lowest rates since October.
“Now, those case counts are still high. We still need to take precautions but it is good to see the downward trend,” he said.
He said the vaccine has now been given to almost the same number of people as have contracted the virus and the city is holding mass clinics for people over 75 or with chronic health conditions, beginning Feb. 22.
“The idea is these will be taking place at several sites around the city. There will be three first dose clinics and then three second dose clinics per week and we target about 500 patients per day,” he added.
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Shots are also being given — by appointment — through some ShopRites, Rite Aids and Walgreens.
The city is scheduling those by contacting people who’ve expressed interest by calling the city or filling out its online form.
Hospitals and health clinics are also contacting their patients to give them the shot.
Farley said it will be many weeks before the program expands to the next highest priority group and he understands the frustration of having to wait.
“We ask people, just give us time to show that we can do it,” he said.