Coronavirus Cases Surpass 20,000 In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — More than 20,000 Philadelphians have been infected by the coronavirus, according to new data released by the city's health department Tuesday.

During a news conference Tuesday, city officials said there are now 20,132 cases of the virus in the city.

That milestone was reached after 179 more cases were reported Tuesday.

"Even though the number of cases today is far better than a month ago, this new total is a grim reminder that many Philadelphians are still testing positive and all of us are still at risk," Mayor Jim Kenney said. "So stay home, stay safe, and wear a face covering when you go outside."

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley echoed Kenney's comments, saying we've seen a significant decline in daily case counts.

"A month ago, we were reporting about 500 cases a day," Farley said. "Now we're seeing about 200 a day."

The numbers are also looking good in hospitals and congregate settings, such as nursing homes and the city's jail.

Hospitals in Philadelphia are treating 619 patients for the virus, while regionally a total of 1,224 patients are being treated in hospitals, as of Monday afternoon.

Farley said nursing homes were getting 50 to 100 cases a day, but now they are getting fewer than 10 daily.

Only three inmates in the city's jail are testing positive for the virus. However, that number is expected to rise as the jail will begin testing all staff, inmates, and others in the jail, even if they are asymptomatic.

Nine new deaths were reported Tuesday, bringing the city's total to 1,049. Of that 1,049, 567 — or 54 percent — were nursing home residents. About a month ago, daily death figures were around 30.