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File #: 200687    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 12/3/2020 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 12/3/2020
Title: Authorizing 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.
Sponsors: Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Gym, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Thomas
Attachments: 1. Signature20068700

Title

Authorizing 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.

 

Body

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 create “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.

 

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