No Vaccine Mandate In Philly, Mask Mandate Possible: Health Dept

PHILADELPHIA — Despite coronavirus cases rising in Philadelphia, the city is not planning to issue a vaccination mandate.

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole in a news conference Tuesday said Philadelphia will not be following cities such as New York in mandating vaccination for certain activities.

"That's not something we've been actively discussing," she said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Tuesday said the city will require proof of vaccination for customers and workers in indoor dining, entertainment, performance, and fitness settings starting Aug. 16.

Bettigole said while there are no plans to issue a mask mandate, that could still happen.

The CDC Tuesday said Philadelphia has a substantial spread of coronavirus despite its 72.4 percent one-dose adult vaccination rate. As of Monday, at least 774,881 residents have been fully vaccinated, and at least 942,043 are partially vaccinated.

On July 22, Philadelphia health officials urged everyone — even those who are vaccinated — to wear masks again.

"We are seeing a small but disturbing increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 among children in Philadelphia, along with more than a doubling of cases in the city," Bettigole said on July 22. "It's time for all of us to do what we need to do to protect our city's kids. That means getting fully vaccinated if you haven't yet, and it means all of us going back to wearing masks in public. Kids under 12 cannot yet be vaccinated. They need you to step up. If you still have questions you need answered, call your doctor or our health department staff and get the information you need. And then get it done."

Other recommendations from Philadelphia health officials include choosing outdoor rather than indoor spaces; avoiding crowded indoor spaces; wearing masks while indoors around people you don't know are vaccinated; and considering double masking for unvaccinated people while in indoor public spaces.

As of Monday, 147,369 Philadelphians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 3,773 have succumbed to the virus. Philadelphia is averaging 119 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the last two weeks, with 4 percent of tests being positive.

The Department of Public Health reports 75 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of six on ventilators.