For Immediate Release: September 28, 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.
The Commonwealth of Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) that was initiated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist households in preventing evictions and foreclosures due to COVID-19 is expanding to support landlords. The RMRP provides a one-time payment with the opportunity for renewal based upon availability of funding, the household’s need for additional assistance, and continued eligibility. Under this new expansion, landlords who have tenants that qualify for the RMRP can receive financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments past due beginning April 1, 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moratorium on eviction proceedings does not prevent rent and mortgage payments from accumulating. Virginia and the City are working to provide resources to maintain housing stability and encourage landlords to work with their lending institution to understand their rights and responsibilities, and seek assistance if needed. Eviction prevention programs, resources and information are available through the Alexandria Office of Housing.
Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) released a Pandemic Metrics Dashboard which includes weekly updates on COVID-19 transmission trends to help guide local decision makers on mitigation strategies. The new dashboard also includes a CDC School Metrics tab that can inform school operational decisions when combined with guidance from local health departments. Beyond local data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the CDC School Metrics include the status of the school's implementation of five key mitigation strategies: consistent and correct use of masks, social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfection, and contact tracing in collaboration with the local health department. Although the data in the CDC School Metrics tab can be viewed by jurisdiction, it is critical to consider regional data because many Northern Virginians do not live and work in the same jurisdiction and transmission rates may differ.
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. Job seekers are encouraged to register for a Meet the Employer event featuring Atlantic Personnel Search on October 15 and the Northern Virginia Virtual Career Fair on October 22. WDC also offers workshops to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search. Workshop topics this week include job interviewing skills, 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 WDC’s job board for a complete list of job opportunities.
The Virginia Department of Health reported an increase of 24 cases and no fatalities in Alexandria as of September 26; 10 cases and no fatalities as of September 27; and 11 cases and no fatalities as of September 28; bringing the total to 3,825 cases, including 69 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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