WHEREAS
,
Philadelphia has seen over 20,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,00 deaths since COVID-19 first was detected in the City in March of this year; and
WHEREAS
,
Older Philadelphians have disproportionately born the burden of this pandemic and have seen higher infection rates and fatality rates; and
WHEREAS
,
Those Older Philadelphians living in long term care facilities have proven to be particularly vulnerable in the current pandemic; and
WHEREAS
,
While Older Philadelphians living in long term care facilities represent a tiny fraction of the City’s population they have averaged more than 50% of the death burden throughout our City’s experience of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS
,
Every Philadelphia resident deserves all of the care and attention we can offer; and
WHEREAS
,
Those in long term care appear to have suffered a greater burden than any other population in the City; and
WHEREAS
,
Identifying the causes of this heaviest of burdens placed on our frail older Philadelphians can reduce the risk to our residents and those who care for them both now and in the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That City Council’s Committee on Public Health & Human Services is authorized to hold hearings regarding the disproportionate numbers of seniors in congregate care settings who have passed away as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
End