[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Six New Symptoms; Infant Immunizations; Food Calculator

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2020

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) strongly urge everyone to follow state orders to STAY HOME except for essential trips such as food purchases and medical care, and keep 6 feet apart from others when in public. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

CDC Adds Six New Symptoms for COVID-19

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added several new symptoms to its existing list of symptoms for COVID-19. Up until now, the agency has cited fever, cough and shortness of breath as indications that someone might have the disease. CDC has now added six more conditions that may come with COVID-19: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

Parents Urged to Maintain Children’s Immunization Schedules

Pediatricians across Virginia have noted a decline in infants receiving their scheduled vaccinations, over concern about exposure to the coronavirus. During National Infant Immunization Week, parents are being reminded of the importance of keeping children on their vaccine schedules, to protect them from diseases that are preventable through the immunization process. Parents should feel free to ask doctors what practices their offices are maintaining to minimize risk of exposure to illness, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and at all other times.

“Stay at Home” Food Calculator

The COVID-19 pandemic has led some people to buy more food and other staples than necessary, resulting in empty store shelves at times. Reuters has produced graphic food calculators to help determine how much food is needed to stay at home. The calculators show common food items that saw large increases in U.S. sales in March 2020.

36 New COVID-19 Cases and No Fatalities Added in Alexandria

The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 627, including 18 fatalities (yesterday’s count included one fatality mistakenly attributed to Alexandria). Detailed data is available through the links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. It is critical for all community members, even those who don't have a diagnosed illness, to stay home except for essential trips such as brief visits to the pharmacy, doctor, or grocery store.