WHEREAS, Cities across the nation and world are experiencing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. With rising case numbers, comes concerns about increased hospitalization rates and the availability of hospital beds to meet growing needs; and
WHEREAS, As of Monday, November 30, 2020,
more than 4,400 Pennsylvanians were being treated in hospitals statewide for COVID-19. Of those patients, 970 were being treated in intensive care units, and nearly 500 were on ventilators
; and
WHEREAS, The rising positive cases and hospitalization numbers in Philadelphia are alarming. There have been over 66,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia since the start of the pandemic, with nearly 2,000 citizens dying from the virus; and
WHEREAS, As of Monday, November 30, 2020,
there were 788 hospital patients being treated for COVID-19 in Philadelphia, with 69 of those patients being treated with ventilators. The City’s current hospitalization number is up 48% from the previous two weeks
; and
WHEREAS, While we are closer to having a COVID-19 vaccines ready for distribution, there will not be widespread availability of vaccines until well into 2021; and
WHEREAS, Based on rising positive cases and hospitalization numbers in Philadelphia, the City should be prepared to use federal, state, and private resources to c
reate “Plan B” locations for temporary hospital sites, by evaluating outdoor and indoor locations, such hotels, schools, and vacant lots
; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes
the Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services to hold joint hearings to examine the city’s preparedness to respond to hospital bed needs of the public during public health emergencies, and to explore “Plan B” locations for temporary hospital sites.
End