For Immediate Release: September 14, 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. Use the Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDWISE app to be quickly and anonymously notified of likely exposure to the virus. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
While the rate of COVID-19 infection in pets remains low, there have been some instances of pets contracting the coronavirus after close contact with infected people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends preventing pets from interacting with anyone who is sick with symptoms of COVID-19 and people outside of their household. Cats should not roam freely outdoors and dogs should remain at least 6 feet from people. Do not attempt to put a mask on your pet. There is no evidence of contracting the coronavirus from fur, hair or skin, so do not wipe or bathe your animal with any type of disinfecting product. While there is no evidence of pets playing a significant role in the transmission of COVID-19 in the U.S., the CDC recommends practicing good hygiene around pets by frequently washing hands, especially after handling their food, supplies or waste, and talking to a veterinarian if a pet becomes ill.
Residents who have lost employment due to COVID-19 are encouraged to review the list of employers who are hiring, which is compiled by the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC). This list is updated with new job opportunities every Monday. WDC also has many free resources, such as Meet the Employer events and workshops to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search. Workshop topics this week include resume building, job search skills, navigating the virtual job fair, one-on-one job coaching, and networking. All workshops take place online, are free, and registration is requested. Follow WDC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for the latest flyer, or visit the WDC’s job board for a complete list of job opportunities.
The Virginia Department of Health reported an increase of 17 cases and no fatalities in Alexandria as of September 12; 8 cases and no fatalities as of September 13; and 11 cases and no fatalities as of September 14; bringing the total to 3,613 cases, including 62 fatalities. COVID-19 is spread by people whether or not they have symptoms, and AHD estimates that nearly 9% 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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