City health officials: Election celebrators should quarantine and get tested

Philadelphia health officials ask participants of post-election protests or celebrations quarantine for 14 days.

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, anyone who was in a large crowd of people, including those who celebrated President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory in Philadelphia last week, should quarantine for 14 days and get tested for COVID-19 a week after they were in a crowd.

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said in an interview with CBS3 that many voters who took to the streets wore masks but did not practice social distancing.

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The health officials statement reads that “this means that they should stay away from others who are not in their household and, if they absolutely have to be around others, give plenty of distance and wear a mask the entire time. Additionally, they should seek out COVID-19 testing seven days after the last day they were around a large crowd.”

The guidance comes as new cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in the city. Philadelphia has recorded 1,772 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, according to the Department.

As cases are rising in every age group, Philadelphia is considering implementing new COVID-19 restrictions, WHYY reported.

The same pattern of the flu

Farley said the virus is following the pattern of the flu and other respiratory viruses, where there is a rise in the fall and a peak in the winter months of January and February.

Meanwhile, city health officials advised people not to gather with multiple households for the holidays, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Philadelphia’s number of confirmed cases adds to 48,896. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced nine new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.

The Department of Public Health confirmed no additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,889. Of the 1,889 total deaths, 917 (49%) were long-term care facility residents.