Philadelphia

The Omicron variant hasn't yet been detected in Philadelphia, but the city is bracing for the inevitable. 

Driving the news: The first U.S. case of the new coronavirus variant was reported in California on Wednesday. 

E. John Wherry, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, expects Omicron to turn up in Philadelphia and other major cities within a week.

State of play: COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Philly — with a 5% positivity rate as of Wednesday, up from 3% two weeks ago. But it's still a far cry compared to this time last December, when the city had a 11.7% positivity rate. 

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said the city isn't issuing any new COVID restrictions at this time, opting to continue pushing vaccine mandates and mask-wearing. 

Yes, but: Bettigole warned, "I can't promise that will continue to be the case. We don't know what's coming with Omicron."

What they're saying: The Omicron variant appears to be more transmissible compared to the Delta variant, Bettigole said.

It's unknown how the new variant affects people who are vaccinated, but she expects some decrease in efficacy. Bettigole said the current vaccines could be 80-85% effective or lower. 

Bettigole advises anyone who is not vaccinated or hasn’t had their booster to avoid gathering indoors.

Meanwhile, Wherry said Omicron could lead to an increase in infections, including among the vaccinated population, due to the variant's high number of mutations, but it remains to be seen whether hospitalizations would also rise. 

"With more mutations, it's going to be more evasive. It's going to get around our antibodies even better," he said.

What's next: Bettigole said she wants to build a sequencing unit within the city's public health lab.  

Currently, the city works with both the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, which conduct the main sequencing. 

Philadelphia cautiously braces for new Omicron variant

"We don't know what's coming with Omicron," Philly Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole warned.

Illustration of a grimacing emoji grinding its teeth, surrounded by a pattern of covid particles.

The Omicron variant hasn&#x27;t yet been detected in Philadelphia, but the city is bracing for the inevitable. Driving the news: The first U.S. case of the new coronavirus variant <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="was reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/us-cdc-omicron-variant-c6502124-3dfd-4e30-8c98-e9dce3138108.html" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/us-cdc-omicron-variant-c6502124-3dfd-4e30-8c98-e9dce3138108.html" target="_self">was reported</a> in California on Wednesday. <ul><li>E. John Wherry, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania&#x27;s Perelman School of Medicine, expects Omicron to turn up in Philadelphia and other major cities within a week.</li></ul>

COVID

A Northwest Philadelphia resident has tested positive for the Omicron variant, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced Friday. 

Driving the news: The confirmed case of the new coronavirus variant involves a man in his 30s, the department said.

What they're saying: "It is not unexpected that we would see Omicron here in Philadelphia," city Health commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said in a statement Friday. 

Mayor Jim Kenney added, "I know that this news is especially discouraging as we enter the holiday season, but we can get through this together."

The big picture: Additional cases of the new variant have been confirmed in New York, Minnesota, California, Hawaii and Colorado this week. 

Omicron was first discovered in South Africa last month. It has since been detected all over the world, including in Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, among others. 

State of play: City health officials aren't planning any new COVID-19 restrictions at this time, Public Health Department spokesperson James Garrow told Axios Friday. 

Philadelphia has a nearly 5% COVID-19 positivity rate, as of Friday.

Between the lines: Bettigole said on Wednesday it's unknown how the Omicron variant will affect people who are vaccinated but she expects some decrease in vaccine efficacy. 

The current vaccines could be 80-85% effective or lower, she said. 

E. John Wherry, an immunologist at University of Pennsylvania, told Axios Omicron would likely lead to an increase of infections, even among those who are vaccinated, due to the high number of mutations.  

What you can do: Philadelphia's Public Health Department is warning residents to take precautions and wear masks.

The agency is continuing to urge that people get vaccinated or get a booster shot. Vaccination clinics are listed on the city's website.

Bettigole also said to limit indoor socializing to only vaccinated people and to just one or two households. 

Of note: Philadelphia district schools will operate normally on Monday, district spokesperson Monica Lewis told Axios. 

Safety measures remain in place throughout the district to prevent the spread of the virus, including a face mask mandate, district-provided hand sanitizer, and the use of social distancing where possible, Lewis said. 

"We encourage everyone to have safe practices in terms of keeping themselves and their families safe."

Omicron variant found in Philadelphia man

The confirmed case of the new coronavirus variant involves a man in his 30s, the department said.

A technician handles tubes containing swab samples for Covid-19. Photo: Ahmad Salem/Getty Images

A technician handles tubes containing swab samples for COVID-19. Photo: Ahmad Salem/Getty Images

A Northwest Philadelphia resident has tested positive for the Omicron variant, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced Friday. Driving the news: The confirmed case of the new coronavirus variant involves a man in his 30s, the department said.

Matt Rader leads the city's top crop of "green thumbs." 

State of play: As president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Rader wants to use horticulture to make a positive social and environmental impact in the region. 

Rader is also overseeing the society's annual Flower Show next year, which will be held outside South Philly's Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park. 

We asked Rader to open up about how he uses technology for work and for fun as part of our recurring Screen Time series. Read on for his picks.

👇 First tap of the day: NPR's "Morning Edition," then "BBC World Service."

🎧 Podcast queue: "Lots of lectures on 19th and 20th century world history. I love to understand the stories behind current realities."

🚆 Most-used app: SEPTA and CityMapper.

"I love public transit and I love to explore. These two apps get me where I need to go and help me dream up new explorations."

🤔 Favorite non-work app: New York Times Crossword.

⏯ Currently streaming: "Borgen" and "The Long Call." 

"We love to end the day with a good drama or mystery episode."

📚 Reading list: "Public Gardens and Livable Cities: Partnerships Connecting People, Plants, and Place" by Donald Rakow, Meghan Gough, and Sharon Lee.

"The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story" by Nikole Hannah-Jones.

🚶How you unplug: "Walking to enjoy the natural and built environments," Rader said. 

"I love to pick two SEPTA stations 6-8 miles apart and walk between the two to see what there is to be seen," he added. "At home, I find it relaxing to water, feed, and tidy up my houseplants."

Screen Time: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Matt Rader

World history podcasts, New York Times crosswords and a good mystery show.

Photo illustration of a grid of smartphone screens, the center one showing an image of Matt Rader.

Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Matt Rader leads the city&#x27;s top crop of &quot;green thumbs.&quot; State of play: As president of the <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Horticultural Society" data-vars-click-url="https://phsonline.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhreNBhAYEiwAFGGKPJvMrI5HOXGBB1L5XBcVyl1NqWqqLaaVBUbvuNCp0iaJiDhStTJHnBoC28UQAvD_BwE" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://phsonline.org/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhreNBhAYEiwAFGGKPJvMrI5HOXGBB1L5XBcVyl1NqWqqLaaVBUbvuNCp0iaJiDhStTJHnBoC28UQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Horticultural Society</a>, Rader wants to use horticulture to make a positive social and environmental impact in the region. <ul><li>Rader is also overseeing the society&#x27;s annual <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="Flower Show" data-vars-click-url="https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/press/news/2022-phs-philadelphia-flower-show-location-date-and-theme-are-announced" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/press/news/2022-phs-philadelphia-flower-show-location-date-and-theme-are-announced" target="_blank">Flower Show</a> next year, which will be held outside South Philly&#x27;s Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park. </li></ul>We asked Rader to open up about how he uses technology for work and for fun as part of our recurring Screen Time series. Read on for his picks.

Things to Do

One Liberty Place has upped its lighting game. 

What's happening: The owner of the third-tallest building in the city has overhauled its iconic zigzagging lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures.

The 72 new light lenses offer a host of new colors, customizable lighting sequences and more.  

Plus: The changes allow nearly anyone to create their own light show!

How it works: My Liberty Lights, a new digital platform, allows users to control the lights atop the 61-story building for 5 minutes at a time.

Users can choose between a number of colors, animations and themes, such as the Eagles' midnight green and silver. 

Once ready, users just need to select a time slot for when their show will go live.

Bonus: Camera feeds on the platform let users watch their light show from anywhere. 

What they're saying: It's an effort by building owner Metropolis Investment Holding Inc. "to give people the opportunity to interact with this building on a personal and creative level," said Bill Hirschfeld, the building's leasing manager.

The old lighting system also had limited colors and couldn't put on customizable lighting sequences.

The new lighting system is capable of "almost anything you can think of," said property manager Cory Gunselman.

Plus: The LED upgrades, which require significantly less energy than the previous lights, were also part of the building owner's push for environmental sustainability, Gunselman said.

She declined to disclose how much the lighting upgrades cost.

Between the lines: Access to My Liberty Lights was handed out to a select few when it launched in August.

Those with access can invite two other people to join the platform. 

What to watch: One Liberty Place will hold a contest for access to My Liberty Lights this month on the building's Instagram page.

Philadelphia's One Liberty Place gets lighting makeover

One Liberty Place is holding a contest this month to give access to its new system.

The light system atop One Liberty Place is seen here with a crescent moon shining behind it. 

The lighting system atop One Liberty Place was revamped this year. Photo courtesy of Metropolis Investment Holding Inc.

One Liberty Place has upped its lighting game. What&#x27;s happening: The owner of the third-tallest building in the city has overhauled its iconic zigzagging lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures.<ul><li>The 72 new light lenses offer a host of new colors, customizable lighting sequences and more. </li><li>Plus: The changes allow nearly anyone to create their own light show!</li></ul>

Business

Restaurant streeteries that popped up during the pandemic can remain permanent fixtures in Philly — but only in some areas of the city.

Driving the news: City Council passed a bill on Thursday that allows restaurants to continue operating outdoor dining service on street parking spaces in broad swaths of the city.

That includes Center City, Fishtown, Main Street in Manayaunk, Old City and East Passyunk, among others.

Yes, but: Restaurants and other businesses outside of those pre-selected areas must get approval for a streetery through legislation, which means winning the support of their district legislator.

Flashback: Philly began offering temporary permits for sidewalk cafes and streeteries in response to the coronavirus pandemic last year.

The city has issued 780 permits for sidewalk cafes and streeteries during the pandemic, said city Department of Licenses and Inspections spokesperson Karen Guss.

Between the lines: The outdoor dining options became lifelines for restaurants, which allowed them to offer in-person dining when COVID restrictions were in effect.

Restaurants also got creative and set up Instagram-worthy streeteries inside igloos, greenhouses and yurts.

What they're saying: Councilmember Allan Domb, the main sponsor of the bill who had initially proposed to make streeteries permanent citywide, worked with Council President Darrell Clarke on the newly approved legislation.

Clarke told Axios streeteries in some areas have led to limited parking and raised accessibility issues.

"There were significant swaths of residential communities where these things simply don't work," he said.

Of note: Council members also passed legislation that allows the sidewalk cafe permits issued during the pandemic to remain in place through 2022.

City approvals for outdoor dining streeteries and cafes would have expired at the end of the year.

What's next: The legislation will go to Mayor Jim Kenney for his signature or veto.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Councilmember Allan Domb was the main sponsor of the newly approved streeteries bill.

City Council sends bill making some streeteries permanent to Kenney

The legislation will go to Mayor Jim Kenney for his signature or veto.

A scene of Rouge's streetery in Rittenhouse Square from September. 

A scene of Rouge's streetery in Rittenhouse Square from September. Photo courtesy of Rouge

Restaurant streeteries that popped up during the pandemic can remain permanent fixtures in Philly — but only in some areas of the city.Driving the news: City Council passed a <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="bill" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/25910723.49/aHR0cHM6Ly9waGlsYS5sZWdpc3Rhci5jb20vTGVnaXNsYXRpb25EZXRhaWwuYXNweD9JRD01MTUzMjU5JkdVSUQ9MEVCNDM4QjItOTNENi00NzlELTgzMzYtMDk1QTJEQ0I2QTdCJk9wdGlvbnM9SUQlN0NUZXh0JTdDJlNlYXJjaD0yMTA3NzYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3B1bb8e746" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/25910723.49/aHR0cHM6Ly9waGlsYS5sZWdpc3Rhci5jb20vTGVnaXNsYXRpb25EZXRhaWwuYXNweD9JRD01MTUzMjU5JkdVSUQ9MEVCNDM4QjItOTNENi00NzlELTgzMzYtMDk1QTJEQ0I2QTdCJk9wdGlvbnM9SUQlN0NUZXh0JTdDJlNlYXJjaD0yMTA3NzYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60999b09a3291a5ad87611d3B1bb8e746" target="_blank">bill</a> on Thursday that allows restaurants to continue operating outdoor dining service on street parking spaces in broad swaths of the city.<ul><li>That includes Center City, Fishtown, Main Street in Manayaunk, Old City and East Passyunk, among others.</li></ul>

Mike D'Onofrio

Featured stories

Screen Time: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Matt Rader

Philadelphia's One Liberty Place gets lighting makeover

Omicron variant found in Philadelphia man

City Council sends bill making some streeteries permanent to Kenney

Philadelphia cautiously braces for new Omicron variant