For Immediate Release: May 19, 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. If you must leave your home, keep 6 feet apart from others when in public, and wear a cloth face covering if you cannot maintain physical distance. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Managing Workplace Fatigue
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided general strategies workers and employers can use to manage workplace fatigue. Workers providing essential services to the community, including emergency responders and health care workers, have been especially stretched thin. They are working longer hours than usual, working more shifts or even overnight, and leaving less time to sleep and recharge. For optimal health and well-being, most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, along with opportunities for rest while awake. Long work hours and shift work, combined with stressful or physically demanding work, can lead to poor sleep, extreme fatigue, and increased risk for injury and deteriorating health (infections, illnesses, and mental health disorders). The CDC page also includes training information from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health for emergency responders and nurses.
Building Owners, Operators Urged to Flush Pipes to Maintain Water Quality
Virginia American Water, which provides water service in Alexandria, recommends that building owners and operators proactively flush water pipes and related equipment to bring fresh water into their facilities in preparation for eventual reopening. To prepare facilities, building owners and operators are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach that includes proper flushing of individual fixtures (e.g., toilets and showers), adjustment of hot water temperature, and maintenance of building plumbing and heating/cooling systems. Proper flushing of plumbing before reoccupying buildings is essential to maintaining water quality in internal plumbing systems and should be performed biweekly while the building is closed, and again in the days immediately before opening. Read the Virginia American Water news release for more information.
Correction
A May 18 news release incorrectly stated that local nonprofit ALIVE! distributed 800 pounds of food at a recent food distribution event. ALIVE! distributed 800 bags of food, weighing approximately 4,800 pounds.
34 New COVID-19 Cases and No New Fatalities Added in Alexandria
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 1,544, including 34 fatalities. 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.
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