For Immediate Release: September 21, 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.
A recent study examining close contacts and community spread found that adults who tested positive for COVID-19 were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant in the previous two weeks than those with negative COVID-19 test results. The researchers note that masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use. Although these results represent only one study with numerous limitations, it does emphasize the importance of physical distancing and wearing masks
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued revised guidance with detailed recommendations for nursing homes to safely facilitate visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. After several months of visitor restrictions designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, CMS recognizes that physical separation from family and other loved ones has taken a significant toll on nursing home residents. CMS has revised guidance to help nursing homes facilitate visitation in both indoor and outdoor settings and in compassionate care situations. The guidance also outlines certain core principles and best practices to reduce the risk of illness transmission such as waiting until a facility has not had a case in 14 days, limiting the number of visitors in at a time, and their movement throughout the facility.
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. This week, WDC has two Meet the Employer events featuring Sunrise Senior Living and Giant Foods. WDC also offers workshops to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search. Workshop topics this week include resume building, job interviewing skills (also in Spanish), job search skills, and networking skills. All Meet the Employer events and 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 13 cases and 1 fatality in Alexandria as of September 19; 12 cases and no fatalities as of September 20; and 20 cases and no fatalities as of September 21; bringing the total to 3,716 cases, including 68 fatalities. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
AHD estimates that approximately 1 in 12 infected Alexandrians have required hospitalization. An estimated 66% of Virginia adults who become infected never have symptoms, so everyone must 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. Be prepared to help your family and neighbors by answering a call from AHD if you are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
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