93-3-3-WMR Audio on Demand presents the Preston and Steve show podcast.

And now, Preston and Steve's news update with Kathy Romano.

Today is Thursday. It's December 16th. Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning. In the news this morning, Philadelphia health officials say new COVID-19 cases and

hospitalizations

are now approaching the dangerous levels seen last winter, prompting an urgent message from the city's

health commissioner. Dr. Cheryl Betagol is warning residents against gathering with anyone outside of your

immediate family over the holidays. Betigal says the past data shows the holiday gatherings lead to

COVID-19 surges and officials suspect Thanksgiving gatherings contributed to the current spike.

The daily average of new cases in Philadelphia doubled in just two weeks, raising concerns that hospitals may stretch to their limits with COVID-19 patients.

So far, the city of Philadelphia detected three cases of the Omnacron variant, but officials expect that number to rise quickly.

Officials stated that more guidance for restaurants on vaccination enforcement and optional religious exemption forms will be released in the coming days.

In New Jersey, on the first anniversary of the first vaccine administered in the state. Wednesday was declared New Jersey Boost Day.

Health officials say only 37% of eligible people in New Jersey have received a booster.

Three men have been arrested in connection with a string of robberies that targeted people wearing Rolex watches in Philadelphia.

Sources say the suspects robbed a man of his watch in South Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

The men were taken into custody following a car stop.

The suspects are believed to be tied to a slew of incidents in and around Center City in recent weeks.

Last weekend, police say a groom was robbed of his Rolex while walking in Old City on his wedding night.

And last Friday evening, police say three armed men stole money and jewelry from pedestrians near 22nd in Sanson streets. Another similar incident was recently reported on Mozart Place just off of Writtenhouse Square. I know a Rolex was on your wish list case. Yeah. You may want to put that on hold for a little bit. Sure, but how do, I mean, they're that good at like spotting a Rolex? Just so. All right. I don All right. I mean, I couldn't tell you the different.

I know.

The only thing I could say, oh, that's, there's an Apple watch. Right. Like, that's it. You're pretty, I mean, if it's, like, if it's light out and you can see, you can tell it's a Rolex from how far away. I don't know. There's a lot of nice looking watches.

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