COVID

Isaac Avilucea
Dec 14, 2022 - News

Flu and COVID cases climbing in Philadelphia

Data: CDC; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Flu cases are on the rise in Philadelphia as Americans across the country experience the worst influenza outbreak in more than a decade.

Why it matters: City health officials say flu vaccination rates among residents are lower than previous years, leading to more severe cases as hospitals deal with high rates of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Pandemic shaved minutes off Philadelphia commutes

Data: U.S. Census American Community Survey; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios
Data: U.S. Census American Community Survey; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

The daily commute in Philly shrank during the pandemic.

What's happening: The average one-way commute in Philly was 3.2 minutes shorter in 2021 compared to 2019, per the latest U.S. Census data.

Isaac Avilucea
Oct 4, 2022 - COVID

Penn researchers explore how COVID misinformation hampers child vax rates

Illustration of a turtle carrying a vial of liquid

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Misinformation remains a big reason why only about 30% of American children ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, UPenn researchers found in a new study.

Why it matters: Health officials have been raising alarm over the potential of low child vaccination rates fueling transmission and carrying the risk of severe illness for some of our nation's youngest, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.

How Philly's pandemic recovery lags the nation

Data: OpenTable; Chart: Axios Visuals

Philadelphians saw promising signs of a rebound from the pandemic this summer, but headwinds persist as many of our industries trail the nation and region in recovery.

  • That's according to a new report by the Center City District and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation.
Mike D'Onofrio
Updated Aug 31, 2022 - COVID

Omicron booster doses are coming to Philly

Illustration of a person's arm with multiple bandaids on it.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The first updated COVID vaccines tailored to be more effective against the Omicron variant have received sign-off from the Food and Drug Administration, and Philly can expect shipments to begin next week.

What's happening: The FDA on Wednesday authorized Pfizer and Moderna's updated versions of the vaccines, which will ideally provide more targeted protection against the dominant BA.5 strain that's currently circulating.

Mike D'Onofrio
Aug 16, 2022 - News

FEMA distributes $142M for COVID-19 funerals

Illustration of a hand at a vigil holding a candle wrapped in a $100 bill.

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

FEMA has doled out more than $142.6 million in funeral assistance to Pennsylvanians for COVID-related deaths through Aug. 11, according to the federal agency.

How it works: FEMA pays up to $9,000 to reimburse funeral expenses associated with a death attributed to COVID-19.

Mike D'Onofrio
Aug 15, 2022 - News

District schools to start year with face mask mandate

Illustration of magnets on a school locker in the shape of a contact tracing chart.

Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

Students and staff in district schools must wear face masks when classes resume later this month.

  • Yes, but: Only for two weeks.
Mike D'Onofrio
Aug 11, 2022 - News

Unvaxxed city employees get the boot

Illustration of a rope barrier with a vaccination card hanging from the rope section.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The Kenney administration is firing 83 city employees over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, while thousands of others have won exemptions.

Why it matters: The terminations, announced on Tuesday, mark the end of the city's effort to fully enforce its vaccine mandate, which was announced in December 2021 but delayed several times due to pushback from police and firefighters unions.

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