Providing Resources & Support During COVID-19
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Latest News
Department of Health Provides Alternative Distribution Methods of Free Potassium Iodide Tablets during COVID-19 Mitigation
Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that in lieu of in-person free potassium iodide, or KI, tablet distribution the department has provided in previous years, the tablets are available to all Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 828 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 120,281
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 11, that there are 828 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 120,281. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Wolf Administration: Medical Device Company OraSure Expansion to Increase COVID-19 Testing Capabilities, Bring New Jobs
Governor Tom Wolf announced that OraSure Technologies Inc., a developer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests, collection and stabilization devices headquartered in Northampton County, will expand its manufacturing operations in the Lehigh Valley, creating 177...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement August 7-9: 1,190 Compliance Checks, 10 Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,190 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social...
Wolf Administration Provides Additional Recommendations to Help Schools Safely Navigate COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania departments of Health (DOH) and Education (PDE) today provided school administrators and governing bodies with recommendations as to which instructional models they should consider implementing based...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 601 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 119,453
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 10, that there are 601 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 119,453. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 760 Positive Cases Reported Bring Statewide Total to 118,852
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 8, that there are 760 additional positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the department, bringing the statewide total to 118,852. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 813 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 118,092
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 8, that there are 813 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 118,092. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Pennsylvania Shares Update on COVID-19 Dashboard, Mitigation Efforts in Long-Term Care Facilities
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, comparing the seven-day period of July 31 – August 6 to the...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement August 5-6: 1,168 Compliance Checks, Seven Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,168 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, August 5 through Thursday, August 6 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 758 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 117,279
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 7, that there are 758 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 117,279. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Gov. Wolf: Congress Must Extend $600 Federal Unemployment Benefit to Help Pennsylvanians
After joining U.S. Senator Bob Casey earlier this week to call for an extension to the $600 federal unemployment benefit, Governor Tom Wolf is again urging Congress to act quickly and continue this lifeline for out of work Pennsylvanians. “COVID-19 has brought about...
Department of Health: Take Proper Steps to Protect Yourself and Baby While Breastfeeding during COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Health today encouraged people who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding to take proper steps to protect themselves so their babies can get the essential nutrients...
Wolf Administration Provides Recommendation for School and Recreational Youth Sports
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Education today jointly recommended that Pre-K–12 school and recreational youth sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, to protect children and teens from COVID-19. The administration is providing this...
Gov. Wolf: $10.5 Million to Help Career and Technical Education Centers Resume Operations
Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating approximately $10.5 million to Career and Technical Education Centers (CTC) to assist them in implementing public health and safety plans and help them to resume operations. CTC Equity grants provide funding to support effective...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 807 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 116,521
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 6, that there are 807 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 116,521. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
Wolf Administration Highlights Increased Efforts to Expand COVID-19 Testing Availability
Governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today highlighted ongoing efforts to expand testing across Pennsylvania to ensure that every Pennsylvanian who wants a test can get one. “If we want to mitigate the spread of this very...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement August 3-4: 1,244 Compliance Checks, Three Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,244 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, August 3 through Tuesday, August 4 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social...
COVID-19 Virtual Vaccine Town Hall
Reopening
About the Coronavirus
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others circulating among animals, including camels, cats and bats.
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
How can the Coronavirus spread?
Human coronaviruses spread just like the flu or a cold:
- Through the air by coughing or sneezing;
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it;
- Occasionally, fecal contamination.
How can I help protect myself?
Prevention:
- Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Do not use your hands!
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
- Contain: if you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better.
In addition, it is recommended that Pennsylvanians take time to prepare now. View the PA Emergency Preparedness Guide.
Resources
- Coronavirus fact sheet – DOH (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) fact sheet – CDC (PDF)
- What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Isolation vs. Quarantine Infographic – NJDOH (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ
- Preventing COVID-19 From Spreading to Others in Communities
- Stigma Related to COVID-19
- Share Facts About COVID-19
- Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19
- Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for COVID-19
- Pandemic Information
- Insurance Coverage and COVID-19 FAQ
Most Philadelphia Workers are Entitled to Sick Leave!
If you work at a job with 10 or more workers, you must get paid sick leave. Jobs with 9 or fewer workers must give leave but it can be unpaid.
- Full time and part time workers are covered, as long as you work 40 hours per year in Philly.
- You can start using sick time after 90 days on the job and can earn 40 hours per year; one hour for each 40 hours you work.
- Gig workers, independent contractors, union members, seasonal workers and state and federal government workers are not covered by this law
- You are protected from retaliation for taking sick time or asking to take it.
Food Resources
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Sponsored Senior Centers/Satellites
Grab and Go meals, Home Delivered Meal Coordination or Commodities Box Access
North Central Philadelphia
CHCS Norris Square Center
2121 N. Howard St, 19122
215-423-7241
*Spanish-Speaking*
Nativity Satellite Program
(Formerly St. Anne’s)
3255 Belgrade St., 19134
215-423-2772
King Older Adult Center
2100 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave., 19121
215-685-2715
Mondays and Wednesdays
Lutheran Settlement House
1340 Frankford Ave., 19125
215-426-8610
Food Pantry On Site
Mann Older Adult Center
3201 N. 5th St., 19140
215-685-9844
*Spanish-Speaking*
Mondays and Wednesdays
Northern Living Center
827 N Franklin Street, 19123
215-978-1300
On Lok House Satellite
219 N. 10th St., 19107
215-599-3016
*Asian Languages*
Mondays Only
PSC – Allegheny Branch
1900 W. Allegheny Ave., 19132
267-286-1455
Mondays and Thursdays
Center in the Park
5818 Germantown Ave., 19144
215-848-7722
The Center at Journey’s Way
403 Rector St., 19128
215-487-1750
Mondays Only
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Older Adult Center
8101 Bustleton Ave., 19152
215-685-0576
Mondays and Wednesdays
Peter Bressi NE Senior Center
4744-46 Frankford Ave., 19124
215-831-2926
Kleinlife Northeast &
Kleinlife Russian Satellite
10100 Jamison Ave., 19116
215-698-7300
*Some Korean-Speaking*
Tuesdays Only
Juniata Park Older Adult Center
1251 E Sedgley Avenue, 19134
215-685-1490
Mondays and Wednesdays
Firehouse Active Adult Center
5331 Haverford Ave., 19139
215-472-6188
West Philadelphia Senior Community Center
1016-26 N. 41st St., 19104
215-386-0379
South Philadelphia
St. Edmonds Senior Community Center CHCS (Formerly St. Charles)
2130 S 21st St, 19145
215-790-9530
Marconi Older Adult Program
2433 S. 15th St., 19145
215-218-0800
PSC-Avenue of the Arts and Asian- Pacific Senior Resource Center
509 S. Broad St., 19147
215-546-5879
Mondays and Thursdays
Southwest Philadelphia
CHCS Star Harbor Sr. Center Satellite
4700 Springfield Ave., 19143
215-726-7468
Southwest Senior Center
6916 Elmwood Ave., 19142
215-937-1880
How you can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia and Montgomery County
Philadelphia, Montgomery County and the immediate region remain the epicenter for the coronavirus outbreak in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 71 cases in Montgomery County, 69 in Philadelphia, 33 in Delaware County, 24 in Bucks County, and 19 in Chester County.
As such, public health officials like Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine is cautioning against interactions that would lead to community spread. A second person has died and Dr. Levine is reminding people to follow recommended practices and to stay home to prevent unintentional spread of this deadly disease.
To help prevent overextending our existing health infrastructure, officials urge people to self-assess whether they are sick and be mindful that there are a limited amount of coronavirus tests and resources available at this time. Follow the link to a fact sheet to learn more about testing.
If you are experiencing symptoms and in need of testing here are organizations providing coronavirus COVID-19 tests in the Philadelphia region:
- CHOP in West Philly
- Multiple locations of Jefferson Health
- Einstein Medical Center in North Philadelphia
- Temple’s main campus
- Multiple locations of Penn Medicine
- Multiple locations of PHMC
- Multiple locations of Trinity Health
Drive through testing is available at:
Read more: CDC recommendations on getting tested for coronavirus
Here is guide issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping provide clear guidance and direction in response to coronavirus COVID-19.