Philadelphia Again Recommends Masks For Indoor Public Spaces Regardless Of COVID-19 Vaccination Status

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Health officials in Philadelphia said Thursday they are now strongly recommending that everyone wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of immunization status.

Officials said Thursday that 60.8% of adults in Philadelphia were fully vaccinated and 73.9% had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“As of this week, over a million people have been vaccinated in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The numbers clearly show it: vaccinations are the best way to fight COVID-19 by protecting us and the people around us. “

Despite these numbers, Acting Health Commissioner Dr Cheryl Bettigole said the city is also experiencing “a small but worrying increase in hospitalizations from COVID-19 among children.”

“It’s time for all of us to do what we need to do to protect the children of our city. It means getting fully immunized if you haven’t already, and it means we all have to start wearing face masks again. public. Children under 12 cannot yet be vaccinated. They need you to step up, “she said.

Health officials also recommend:
– Choose outdoor rather than indoor spaces

– Avoid crowded indoor spaces
– Wear an indoor mask around people you don’t know are vaccinated, and for unvaccinated people, consider double masking in indoor public spaces.

The Department of Public Health reports that five patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in hospitals in Philadelphia, including one on a ventilator.

A total of 146,142 Philadelphians have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 3,763 have succumbed to the virus.