For Immediate Release: August 26, 2020
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) remind everyone that you are safest at home. Older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions 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 mask over both their nose and mouth at all times in most indoor public settings. Download Virginia Department of Health's COVIDWISE app, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to quickly and anonymously notify users who have likely been exposed, enabling you to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
The City is asking Alexandria families to participate in an online survey to assess child care needs and preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Child Care Collaborative and Smart Beginnings Alexandria are working with regional partners on the Child Care Task Force to support families and providers facing child care challenges resulting from the pandemic. The results will help the task force and local partners better understand the needs and preferences of Alexandria families as they work with child care providers to develop and provide child care offerings. The survey is open through Sunday, August 30.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has extended the end date of the ban on utility shutoff due to unpaid bills from August 31 to September 16. The original measure was implemented in March to assist Virginians whose ability to pay their bills was impacted by workplace closures due to COVID-19. Utility companies have offered extended payment plans of up to 12 months to help avoid shutoffs. Customers who have established extended payment plans will continue to be protected from having their utilities shut off or late payment fees being assessed, even after the moratorium expires. The SCC has urged all utility companies to make every accommodation possible to customers who are making good-faith efforts to pay their bills. Alexandria residents experiencing difficulty paying electricity bills should contact their providers to discuss options, and may also be eligible for other assistance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance for safely participating in daily activities while the COVID-19 virus remains a threat in the community. Guidance is provided for specific settings and activities, including going to the bank or a gas station, handling deliveries and takeout, having guests or workers in the home, attending various social gatherings, and handling groceries and food safety. While the suggested safety measures vary depending on the type of activity, the CDC recommends consistently following general guidance and always considering the risk factors before going out.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 3,324, including 61 fatalities. COVID-19 is spread by people whether or not they have symptoms, and AHD estimates that nearly 10% of infected Alexandrians have required hospitalization. Everyone must do their part to stop the spread: maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others, wear a mask over both the nose and mouth, and carry and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol. With a recent increase in cases, you are more likely to encounter someone who is infected. Be prepared to answer a call from the Alexandria Health Department in case you are identified as a close contact. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
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