The city announced 79 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Philadelphia Monday afternoon, the largest increase that brings the total up to 175 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the large increase was expected because not all testing labs reported results over the weekend. He reiterated that it could take 10 to 12 days for when individuals are first exposed to the virus to when their test results come back positive, and emphasized to assume there are many more cases in the city.
Of the 175 cases, eight are under the age of 20, 89 are ages 20 to 39, 42 are ages 40 to 59 and 36 are above the age of 60. Fourteen have been hospitalized, and 21 are known to be healthcare workers.
The city issued a stay-at-home order that took effect today at 8 a.m. meant to stifle the spread of the virus. Philadelphia residents are urged to stay home unless they are engaged in personal activities deemed essential.
These activities include leaving to get essential goods or medical attention, outdoor activities like walking, running and cycling, visiting meal sites and caring for a family member at a separate location. More can be found here.
The city and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation today launched a small business relief fund with more than $9 million. The grant and loan program is designed to help small businesses help maintain essential costs like payroll to preserve jobs.
Businesses can view requirements and apply for assistance here.
