PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There are signs that the two-month surge of COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia has peaked, with hopeful signs in the city on the vaccine front.
Philadelphia is averaging 288 new COVID-19 cases a day. That's down about 10% from last week. Additionally, the positivity rate on tests is back down to 5%.
Those are reasons for Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole to express cautious optimism.
"Obviously things could change, but the numbers we're seeing this week are heartening and we hope the trend continues," said Dr. Bettigole.
"Philadelphians have been stepping up. Our data shows an increase in mask use in the city and an uptick in the rate of vaccinations in the past few weeks."
Dr. Bettigole has also credited the vaccine mandate for colleges and health care workers that begins next month.
Philadelphia has among the highest vaccination rates in U.S. cities, with more than two-thirds of adults in the city fully vaccinated and nearly 82% with at least one shot of the vaccine. Additionally, 44,000 teenagers have received at least one Pfizer shot.
Two groups, however, are lacking in high vaccination rates.
One of those is African-American residents between 20 and 34 years old. That also happens to be the age group seeing the most new cases, so Dr. Bettigole says the city is focusing outreach efforts there.
But health officials are also concerned about women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Stacy Kallum sought to dispel myths that might be holding them back.
"A lot of research has been done on these pregnant vaccinated people and from this research, we know that the vaccine works to protect you against COVID if you're pregnant, and we also know there haven't been any safety concerns for mom or baby."
Conversely, she said pregnant women are at a higher risk for serious cases that could jeopardize their pregnancy.
"We have data that COVID vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy. Over 150,000 pregnant people in the U.S. have been vaccinated against COVID," said Dr. Kallum.
Dr. Bettigole additionally noted the concern that not everyone is on board with masks.
"My e-mail inbox is full of notes from people disturbed by places they have been where people still are not masking consistently," she said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Bettigole said she does not expect a surge from the Made In America festival, even though she's aware some people did not follow all the rules. She said there were layers of protection for attendees that together should work to prevent an outbreak.
Similarly, in schools, she said there will be cases simply because of the sheer number of students and teachers in attendance. But between vaccines, masks and ventilation improvements, there have so far been no large outbreaks in schools.
