Philadelphia, surrounding counties seeing ‘substantial’ level of COVID-19 transmission, CDC says

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PHILADELPHIA - The CDC says Philadelphia and three suburban counties are now seeing ‘substantial’ community spread of COVID-19.

According to the CDC’s Data Tracker, ‘substantial’ transmission means there have been 50-99.99 total new cases per 100,000 persons in the last seven days.

As of Monday, Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties were among of 609 counties in the U.S. to fall into the substantial transmission category, Meanwhile 1,923, or nearly 60% of U.S. counties fall under ‘high transmission.’

CDC data indicates last week’s number of new cases in Philadelphia was up more than 14% over the previous week at 52.33 new cases per 100,000 persons. New cases per 100,000 persons in the other three counties are listed below:

Bucks County - 67.49 per 100,000
Delaware County- 64.76 per 100,000
Montgomery County - 70.16 per 100,000
Chester County - 54.48 per 100,000

According to the city’s vaccine dashboard, 62% of adults in Philadelphia, age 18 and up, have been fully vaccinated. Additionally, 75% of adults 18 and up have received at least one dose.

Late last month, city officials strongly recommended that everyone resume wearing masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

Philadelphia officials address rise in COVID-19 cases amid variant concerns

Philadelphia has seen a recent rise in COVID-19 cases that health officials have attributed to the spread of the delta variant. The CDC says the city is now seeing 'substantial' community spread.

The recommendation came after what Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole cited a "small, but disturbing" increase in hospitalizations and doubling cases due to the Delta variant and COVID-19 infections in children who are not vaccine eligible.

Along with indoor masking, the health department now suggests avoiding crowded spaces and moving gatherings outside when possible. Health officials also advocate wearing a mask around people whose vaccination status is unknown.

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