For Immediate Release: July 4, 2020
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) remind everyone that you are safest at home. Older adults, persons with underlying medical conditions, and pregnant women are at greater risk for severe disease and are advised to minimize potential exposures as much as possible. Please keep at least 6 feet of distance from others. Everyone is required to wear a face covering in most indoor public settings. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for visiting beaches and pools. Although there is no evidence that COVID-19 spreads through water, the virus does spread easily between people in crowded places. To reduce your risk: stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or just aren’t feeling well; check to see if your beach or pool has steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus; bring supplies like face coverings, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, disinfectant wipes, tissues, and paper towels; stay at least 10 feet away from other people you don’t live with; avoid crowded areas; wear cloth face coverings when you are not in the water; wash your hands often with soap and water, and avoid sharing items or touching surfaces in common with people who don’t live with you.
There have been a number of vacation or travel-related COVID-19 outbreaks over the last several weeks, including in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. With community transmission still active across the country, engaging in activities with people outside your household puts you at risk of contracting COVID-19. AHD urges community members to be mindful of alerts about outbreaks from travel destinations -- both before and after visiting -- and carefully consider the need to change plans before traveling or seek testing afterward.
Under Phase Three guidelines in Virginia, indoor and outdoor swimming pools may be open at up to 75% occupancy, provided 10 feet of physical distance may be maintained between swimmers and seated patrons who are not of the same household. Visit the CDC’s Healthy Swimming website for information to help you prevent illness and drowning, so you can safely enjoy the fun and health benefits of swimming.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 2,357, including 57 fatalities. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread both by people who are symptomatic and by those who do not know that they are infected. Everyone is safest at home. This is especially true for those in high-risk populations (such as older adults, persons living in long-term care facilities, and those with serious underlying medical conditions). If you must go out, please maintain 6 feet of distance from others, wear a cloth face covering, and always carry hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol with you. Everyone must do their part to stop the spread.
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