COVID-19 in Philadelphia

Respiratory virus rates are “very, very high” and will probably rise during the holidays, local health officials say. As the pandemic enters its third winter, why should Philadelphians pay attention?

“What we need to do for just this little bit of time is recognize that this is a short term thing,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole told Citizen on Tuesday. “What happened last winter with our hospitals was really ugly.” With so many coronavirus patients, hospitals could not properly treat the normal patient load. In some cases, people with severe issues like heart attacks and strokes “waited in the ER for days and couldn’t get care. And that’s a thing we can’t let happen,” Dr. Bettigole said.

The good news: “If we can hold it together through the next month or so, we can avoid what happened last winter.” It won’t take severe restrictions like it did in the early pandemic—just smart choices like vaccinating kids for the flu, using a 4-5 day window of caution before visiting high-risk people, and skipping indoor gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

“I don’t think people are going to be in bubbles. I don’t think people should be in bubbles,” the health commissioner said. But it can make a big difference to avoid spreading viruses to people over age 65. They’re at the highest risk. What does that mean in practice?

“Before you see somebody who’s over 65 in an indoor setting where you’re going to take off your mask, you need a 4 or 5 day little window in which you’re actually being careful, and you need to do a COVID test that morning. And if you’ve got a runny nose or a cough or whatever, don’t go! They don’t want to see you. But that could keep our hospitals clear,” Dr. Bettigole said.

This year is not the same as last year. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising but still lower than last December. (In the most recent state health department [data](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx), the number of Philadelphia COVID-19 patients on ventilators nearly doubled from the week before.) Flu rates are several times higher than past years. Meanwhile, a wave of [RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) infections has tested the limits of local children’s hospitals. (In the most recent [data](https://public-data-hub-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/Hospital%20Utilization) from the federal Department of Health & Human Services, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported just 8.83% of inpatient beds and 0.83% of inpatient ICU beds available.) Health officials have had reports of waits up to 12 hours at children’s ERs.

The dominant Omicron coronavirus variant incubates in just a few days. So, as a rule of thumb: in the 4-5 days before an indoor gathering with older people, take extra care to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. If you have a potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 4-5 days and monitor yourself for symptoms.

“How confident you should be depends on what your exposure was, and what it is that you’re doing next,” Dr. Bettigole said. For example, if you’re going to see an elderly person on cancer chemo, “you better be really sure.”

Another way to make a big difference is to vaccinate kids for the flu. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all spreading at the same time. We have vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. We don’t have an RSV vaccine. Vaccinating children can prevent pediatric complications and even deaths, but the biggest impact is on other people.

Kids spread the flu to all kinds of people. Vaccinating children brings down flu rates in all segments of the community, which will reduce hospital strain during the next few weeks. This year’s flu vaccine is a strong match for the strains that are spreading, so it is highly effective, the health commissioner said.

Around the country, CDC data for most recent available week of December 14 shows COVID-19 deaths increasing, as they have in prior Decembers, but the baseline is much lower than the past two years. Philadelphia is at “Medium” community level (among 35% of counties nationwide). New York City and most of its metro areas have moved up to the High level, and New Jersey counties are all now Medium or High.

It’s not yet clear how much COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will spike in Philadelphia this winter. It will depend on precautions local residents take.

**More pandemic information:**

* Read the city health department’s winter safety tips [here](https://www.phila.gov/2022-12-16-winter-guidance-from-the-health-department/). COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all spreading at the same time. Flu cases are several times higher than in past winters.

* The School District of Philadelphia will require masks for the two weeks after the winter holiday break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that usually spike after holiday gatherings. Read the district’s COVID-19 protocols for this school year [here](https://www.philasd.org/studenthealth/covid19protocols/).

* You can pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at several sites around Philadelphia. They are at Mi Salud Wellness Center at 200 E. Wyoming Avenue, 19120; Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Avenue, 19143; The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Avenue, 19138; Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Avenue, 19148; and Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Avenue, 19148. Daily hours vary. See details [here](https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/).

* The federal government will once again mail free tests to your home this winter. Sign up [here](https://www.covid.gov/tests) or call [800-232-0233](tel:800-232-0233).

* See the latest data from the state health department [here](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx).

* The FDA and CDC have authorized “updated boosters” of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines to better protect against the Omicron variant. As of December, both vaccines are authorized for everyone down to children aged six months. These new “bivalent” shots include two mRNA components; one that broadly protects against general COVID, and one for the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These two subvariants are causing most cases in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this winter. See the FDA’s statement [here](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months).

* The CDC updated its COVID isolation and quarantine guidance over the summer, while relaxing recommendations as a whole. See more details [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).

Respiratory virus rates are “very, very high” and will probably rise during the holidays, local health officials say. As the pandemic enters its third winter, why should Philadelphians pay attention?

“What we need to do for just this little bit of time is recognize that this is a short term thing,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole told Citizen on Tuesday. “What happened last winter with our hospitals was really ugly.” With so many coronavirus patients, hospitals could not properly treat the normal patient load. In some cases, people with severe issues like heart attacks and strokes “waited in the ER for days and couldn’t get care. And that’s a thing we can’t let happen,” Dr. Bettigole said.

The good news: “If we can hold it together through the next month or so, we can avoid what happened last winter.” It won’t take severe restrictions like it did in the early pandemic—just smart choices like vaccinating kids for the flu, using a 4-5 day window of caution before visiting high-risk people, and skipping indoor gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

“I don’t think people are going to be in bubbles. I don’t think people should be in bubbles,” the health commissioner said. But it can make a big difference to avoid spreading viruses to people over age 65. They’re at the highest risk. What does that mean in practice?

“Before you see somebody who’s over 65 in an indoor setting where you’re going to take off your mask, you need a 4 or 5 day little window in which you’re actually being careful, and you need to do a COVID test that morning. And if you’ve got a runny nose or a cough or whatever, don’t go! They don’t want to see you. But that could keep our hospitals clear,” Dr. Bettigole said.

This year is not the same as last year. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising but still lower than last December. (In the most recent state health department [data](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx), the number of Philadelphia COVID-19 patients on ventilators nearly doubled from the week before.) Flu rates are several times higher than past years. Meanwhile, a wave of [RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) infections has tested the limits of local children’s hospitals. (In the most recent [data](https://public-data-hub-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/Hospital%20Utilization) from the federal Department of Health & Human Services, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported just 8.83% of inpatient beds and 0.83% of inpatient ICU beds available.) Health officials have had reports of waits up to 12 hours at children’s ERs.

The dominant Omicron coronavirus variant incubates in just a few days. So, as a rule of thumb: in the 4-5 days before an indoor gathering with older people, take extra care to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. If you have a potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 4-5 days and monitor yourself for symptoms.

“How confident you should be depends on what your exposure was, and what it is that you’re doing next,” Dr. Bettigole said. For example, if you’re going to see an elderly person on cancer chemo, “you better be really sure.”

Another way to make a big difference is to vaccinate kids for the flu. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all spreading at the same time. We have vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. We don’t have an RSV vaccine. Vaccinating children can prevent pediatric complications and even deaths, but the biggest impact is on other people.

Kids spread the flu to all kinds of people. Vaccinating children brings down flu rates in all segments of the community, which will reduce hospital strain during the next few weeks. This year’s flu vaccine is a strong match for the strains that are spreading, so it is highly effective, the health commissioner said.

Around the country, CDC data for most recent available week of December 14 shows COVID-19 deaths increasing, as they have in prior Decembers, but the baseline is much lower than the past two years. Philadelphia is at “Medium” community level (among 35% of counties nationwide). New York City and most of its metro areas have moved up to the High level, and New Jersey counties are all now Medium or High.

It’s not yet clear how much COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will spike in Philadelphia this winter. It will depend on precautions local residents take.

**More pandemic information:**

* Read the city health department’s winter safety tips [here](https://www.phila.gov/2022-12-16-winter-guidance-from-the-health-department/). COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all spreading at the same time. Flu cases are several times higher than in past winters.

* The School District of Philadelphia will require masks for the two weeks after the winter holiday break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that usually spike after holiday gatherings. Read the district’s COVID-19 protocols for this school year [here](https://www.philasd.org/studenthealth/covid19protocols/).

* You can pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at several sites around Philadelphia. They are at Mi Salud Wellness Center at 200 E. Wyoming Avenue, 19120; Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Avenue, 19143; The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Avenue, 19138; Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Avenue, 19148; and Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Avenue, 19148. Daily hours vary. See details [here](https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/).

* The federal government will once again mail free tests to your home this winter. Sign up [here](https://www.covid.gov/tests) or call [800-232-0233](tel:800-232-0233).

* See the latest data from the state health department [here](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx).

* The FDA and CDC have authorized “updated boosters” of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines to better protect against the Omicron variant. As of December, both vaccines are authorized for everyone down to children aged six months. These new “bivalent” shots include two mRNA components; one that broadly protects against general COVID, and one for the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These two subvariants are causing most cases in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this winter. See the FDA’s statement [here](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months).

* The CDC updated its COVID isolation and quarantine guidance over the summer, while relaxing recommendations as a whole. See more details [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).

Respiratory virus rates are “very, very high” and will probably rise during the holidays, local health officials say. As the pandemic enters its third winter, why should Philadelphians pay attention?

“What we need to do for just this little bit of time is recognize that this is a short term thing,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole told Citizen on Tuesday. “What happened last winter with our hospitals was really ugly.” With so many coronavirus patients, hospitals could not properly treat the normal patient load. In some cases, people with severe issues like heart attacks and strokes “waited in the ER for days and couldn’t get care. And that’s a thing we can’t let happen,” Dr. Bettigole said.

The good news: “If we can hold it together through the next month or so, we can avoid what happened last winter.” It won’t take severe restrictions like it did in the early pandemic—just smart choices like vaccinating kids for the flu, using a 4-5 day window of caution before visiting high-risk people, and skipping indoor gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

“I don’t think people are going to be in bubbles. I don’t think people should be in bubbles,” the health commissioner said. But it can make a big difference to avoid spreading viruses to people over age 65. They’re at the highest risk. What does that mean in practice?

“Before you see somebody who’s over 65 in an indoor setting where you’re going to take off your mask, you need a 4 or 5 day little window in which you’re actually being careful, and you need to do a COVID test that morning. And if you’ve got a runny nose or a cough or whatever, don’t go! They don’t want to see you. But that could keep our hospitals clear,” Dr. Bettigole said.

This year is not the same as last year. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising but still lower than last December. (In the most recent state health department [data](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx), the number of Philadelphia COVID-19 patients on ventilators nearly doubled from the week before.) Flu rates are several times higher than past years. Meanwhile, a wave of [RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) infections has tested the limits of local children’s hospitals. (In the most recent [data](https://public-data-hub-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/Hospital%20Utilization) from the federal Department of Health & Human Services, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported just 8.83% of inpatient beds and 0.83% of inpatient ICU beds available.) Health officials have had reports of waits up to 12 hours at children’s ERs.

The dominant Omicron coronavirus variant incubates in just a few days. So, as a rule of thumb: in the 4-5 days before an indoor gathering with older people, take extra care to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. If you have a potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 4-5 days and monitor yourself for symptoms.

“How confident you should be depends on what your exposure was, and what it is that you’re doing next,” Dr. Bettigole said. For example, if you’re going to see an elderly person on cancer chemo, “you better be really sure.”

Another way to make a big difference is to vaccinate kids for the flu. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all spreading at the same time. We have vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. We don’t have an RSV vaccine. Vaccinating children can prevent pediatric complications and even deaths, but the biggest impact is on other people.

Kids spread the flu to all kinds of people. Vaccinating children brings down flu rates in all segments of the community, which will reduce hospital strain during the next few weeks. This year’s flu vaccine is a strong match for the strains that are spreading, so it is highly effective, the health commissioner said.

Around the country, CDC data for most recent available week of December 14 shows COVID-19 deaths increasing, as they have in prior Decembers, but the baseline is much lower than the past two years. Philadelphia is at “Medium” community level (among 35% of counties nationwide). New York City and most of its metro areas have moved up to the High level, and New Jersey counties are all now Medium or High.

It’s not yet clear how much COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will spike in Philadelphia this winter. It will depend on precautions local residents take.

**More pandemic information:**

* Read the city health department’s winter safety tips [here](https://www.phila.gov/2022-12-16-winter-guidance-from-the-health-department/). COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all spreading at the same time. Flu cases are several times higher than in past winters.

* The School District of Philadelphia will require masks for the two weeks after the winter holiday break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that usually spike after holiday gatherings. Read the district’s COVID-19 protocols for this school year [here](https://www.philasd.org/studenthealth/covid19protocols/).

* You can pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at several sites around Philadelphia. They are at Mi Salud Wellness Center at 200 E. Wyoming Avenue, 19120; Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Avenue, 19143; The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Avenue, 19138; Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Avenue, 19148; and Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Avenue, 19148. Daily hours vary. See details [here](https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/).

* The federal government will once again mail free tests to your home this winter. Sign up [here](https://www.covid.gov/tests) or call [800-232-0233](tel:800-232-0233).

* See the latest data from the state health department [here](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx).

* The FDA and CDC have authorized “updated boosters” of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines to better protect against the Omicron variant. As of December, both vaccines are authorized for everyone down to children aged six months. These new “bivalent” shots include two mRNA components; one that broadly protects against general COVID, and one for the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These two subvariants are causing most cases in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this winter. See the FDA’s statement [here](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months).

* The CDC updated its COVID isolation and quarantine guidance over the summer, while relaxing recommendations as a whole. See more details [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).

Respiratory virus rates are “very, very high” and will probably rise during the holidays, local health officials say. As the pandemic enters its third winter, why should Philadelphians pay attention?

“What we need to do for just this little bit of time is recognize that this is a short term thing,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole told Citizen on Tuesday. “What happened last winter with our hospitals was really ugly.” With so many coronavirus patients, hospitals could not properly treat the normal patient load. In some cases, people with severe issues like heart attacks and strokes “waited in the ER for days and couldn’t get care. And that’s a thing we can’t let happen,” Dr. Bettigole said.

The good news: “If we can hold it together through the next month or so, we can avoid what happened last winter.” It won’t take severe restrictions like it did in the early pandemic—just smart choices like vaccinating kids for the flu, using a 4-5 day window of caution before visiting high-risk people, and skipping indoor gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

“I don’t think people are going to be in bubbles. I don’t think people should be in bubbles,” the health commissioner said. But it can make a big difference to avoid spreading viruses to people over age 65. They’re at the highest risk. What does that mean in practice?

“Before you see somebody who’s over 65 in an indoor setting where you’re going to take off your mask, you need a 4 or 5 day little window in which you’re actually being careful, and you need to do a COVID test that morning. And if you’ve got a runny nose or a cough or whatever, don’t go! They don’t want to see you. But that could keep our hospitals clear,” Dr. Bettigole said.

This year is not the same as last year. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising but still lower than last December. (In the most recent state health department [data](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx), the number of Philadelphia COVID-19 patients on ventilators nearly doubled from the week before.) Flu rates are several times higher than past years. Meanwhile, a wave of [RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) infections has tested the limits of local children’s hospitals. (In the most recent [data](https://public-data-hub-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/Hospital%20Utilization) from the federal Department of Health & Human Services, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported just 8.83% of inpatient beds and 0.83% of inpatient ICU beds available.) Health officials have had reports of waits up to 12 hours at children’s ERs.

The dominant Omicron coronavirus variant incubates in just a few days. So, as a rule of thumb: in the 4-5 days before an indoor gathering with older people, take extra care to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. If you have a potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 4-5 days and monitor yourself for symptoms.

“How confident you should be depends on what your exposure was, and what it is that you’re doing next,” Dr. Bettigole said. For example, if you’re going to see an elderly person on cancer chemo, “you better be really sure.”

Another way to make a big difference is to vaccinate kids for the flu. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all spreading at the same time. We have vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. We don’t have an RSV vaccine. Vaccinating children can prevent pediatric complications and even deaths, but the biggest impact is on other people.

Kids spread the flu to all kinds of people. Vaccinating children brings down flu rates in all segments of the community, which will reduce hospital strain during the next few weeks. This year’s flu vaccine is a strong match for the strains that are spreading, so it is highly effective, the health commissioner said.

Around the country, CDC data for most recent available week of December 14 shows COVID-19 deaths increasing, as they have in prior Decembers, but the baseline is much lower than the past two years. Philadelphia is at “Medium” community level (among 35% of counties nationwide). New York City and most of its metro areas have moved up to the High level, and New Jersey counties are all now Medium or High.

It’s not yet clear how much COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will spike in Philadelphia this winter. It will depend on precautions local residents take.

**More pandemic information:**

* Read the city health department’s winter safety tips [here](https://www.phila.gov/2022-12-16-winter-guidance-from-the-health-department/). COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all spreading at the same time. Flu cases are several times higher than in past winters.

* The School District of Philadelphia will require masks for the two weeks after the winter holiday break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that usually spike after holiday gatherings. Read the district’s COVID-19 protocols for this school year [here](https://www.philasd.org/studenthealth/covid19protocols/).

* You can pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at several sites around Philadelphia. They are at Mi Salud Wellness Center at 200 E. Wyoming Avenue, 19120; Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Avenue, 19143; The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Avenue, 19138; Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Avenue, 19148; and Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Avenue, 19148. Daily hours vary. See details [here](https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/).

* The federal government will once again mail free tests to your home this winter. Sign up [here](https://www.covid.gov/tests) or call [800-232-0233](tel:800-232-0233).

* See the latest data from the state health department [here](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx).

* The FDA and CDC have authorized “updated boosters” of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines to better protect against the Omicron variant. As of December, both vaccines are authorized for everyone down to children aged six months. These new “bivalent” shots include two mRNA components; one that broadly protects against general COVID, and one for the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These two subvariants are causing most cases in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this winter. See the FDA’s statement [here](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months).

* The CDC updated its COVID isolation and quarantine guidance over the summer, while relaxing recommendations as a whole. See more details [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).

Respiratory virus rates are “very, very high” and will probably rise during the holidays, local health officials say. As the pandemic enters its third winter, why should Philadelphians pay attention?

“What we need to do for just this little bit of time is recognize that this is a short term thing,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole told Citizen on Tuesday. “What happened last winter with our hospitals was really ugly.” With so many coronavirus patients, hospitals could not properly treat the normal patient load. In some cases, people with severe issues like heart attacks and strokes “waited in the ER for days and couldn’t get care. And that’s a thing we can’t let happen,” Dr. Bettigole said.

The good news: “If we can hold it together through the next month or so, we can avoid what happened last winter.” It won’t take severe restrictions like it did in the early pandemic—just smart choices like vaccinating kids for the flu, using a 4-5 day window of caution before visiting high-risk people, and skipping indoor gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

“I don’t think people are going to be in bubbles. I don’t think people should be in bubbles,” the health commissioner said. But it can make a big difference to avoid spreading viruses to people over age 65. They’re at the highest risk. What does that mean in practice?

“Before you see somebody who’s over 65 in an indoor setting where you’re going to take off your mask, you need a 4 or 5 day little window in which you’re actually being careful, and you need to do a COVID test that morning. And if you’ve got a runny nose or a cough or whatever, don’t go! They don’t want to see you. But that could keep our hospitals clear,” Dr. Bettigole said.

This year is not the same as last year. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising but still lower than last December. (In the most recent state health department [data](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx), the number of Philadelphia COVID-19 patients on ventilators nearly doubled from the week before.) Flu rates are several times higher than past years. Meanwhile, a wave of [RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) infections has tested the limits of local children’s hospitals. (In the most recent [data](https://public-data-hub-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/pages/Hospital%20Utilization) from the federal Department of Health & Human Services, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported just 8.83% of inpatient beds and 0.83% of inpatient ICU beds available.) Health officials have had reports of waits up to 12 hours at children’s ERs.

The dominant Omicron coronavirus variant incubates in just a few days. So, as a rule of thumb: in the 4-5 days before an indoor gathering with older people, take extra care to wear a mask in crowded indoor settings. If you have a potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 4-5 days and monitor yourself for symptoms.

“How confident you should be depends on what your exposure was, and what it is that you’re doing next,” Dr. Bettigole said. For example, if you’re going to see an elderly person on cancer chemo, “you better be really sure.”

Another way to make a big difference is to vaccinate kids for the flu. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are all spreading at the same time. We have vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. We don’t have an RSV vaccine. Vaccinating children can prevent pediatric complications and even deaths, but the biggest impact is on other people.

Kids spread the flu to all kinds of people. Vaccinating children brings down flu rates in all segments of the community, which will reduce hospital strain during the next few weeks. This year’s flu vaccine is a strong match for the strains that are spreading, so it is highly effective, the health commissioner said.

Around the country, CDC data for most recent available week of December 14 shows COVID-19 deaths increasing, as they have in prior Decembers, but the baseline is much lower than the past two years. Philadelphia is at “Medium” community level (among 35% of counties nationwide). New York City and most of its metro areas have moved up to the High level, and New Jersey counties are all now Medium or High.

It’s not yet clear how much COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will spike in Philadelphia this winter. It will depend on precautions local residents take.

**More pandemic information:**

* Read the city health department’s winter safety tips [here](https://www.phila.gov/2022-12-16-winter-guidance-from-the-health-department/). COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all spreading at the same time. Flu cases are several times higher than in past winters.

* The School District of Philadelphia will require masks for the two weeks after the winter holiday break. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that usually spike after holiday gatherings. Read the district’s COVID-19 protocols for this school year [here](https://www.philasd.org/studenthealth/covid19protocols/).

* You can pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at several sites around Philadelphia. They are at Mi Salud Wellness Center at 200 E. Wyoming Avenue, 19120; Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Avenue, 19143; The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Avenue, 19138; Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Avenue, 19148; and Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Avenue, 19148. Daily hours vary. See details [here](https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/).

* The federal government will once again mail free tests to your home this winter. Sign up [here](https://www.covid.gov/tests) or call [800-232-0233](tel:800-232-0233).

* See the latest data from the state health department [here](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Monitoring-Dashboard.aspx).

* The FDA and CDC have authorized “updated boosters” of Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID vaccines to better protect against the Omicron variant. As of December, both vaccines are authorized for everyone down to children aged six months. These new “bivalent” shots include two mRNA components; one that broadly protects against general COVID, and one for the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These two subvariants are causing most cases in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this winter. See the FDA’s statement [here](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months).

* The CDC updated its COVID isolation and quarantine guidance over the summer, while relaxing recommendations as a whole. See more details [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html).