For Immediate Release: October 5, 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. To stop the spread of COVID-19, everyone ages 10 and older must wear a mask over their nose and mouth in indoor public places and when at least 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained between those of different households in outdoor public places. Learn more about the state order and City ordinance requiring masks, including exceptions. 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that while COVID-19 is most commonly spread by close contact, the coronavirus can be spread through airborne transmission under certain conditions. People within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 are generally at greatest risk of developing the infection when respiratory droplets carrying the virus are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes of the nose or mouth. Airborne transmission can occur when someone with COVID-19 is in an enclosed space with inadequate ventilation, or has been breathing heavily such as through singing or exercising. Under these circumstances, droplets and particles carrying the virus become concentrated enough for others in the same space, or shortly after the infected person has left, to become infected. AHD advises property owners to ensure their HVAC systems are properly maintained and use the highest grade filters their systems can accommodate. It is vital for everyone to wear masks when in public, and for those who are ill to stay home.
The City and AHD have partnered with Neighborhood Health, with assistance from Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, to conduct weekly targeted COVID-19 testing events in Alexandria’s communities where the rate of positive cases are high. The purpose of these free testing events is to reach those who don’t have access to care, are uninsured or might not have identification. The City has compiled COVID-19 testing resources, including a symptom checker to help determine the need for COVID-19 testing and an interactive map to find testing locations. Guidance materials for next steps following a positive test result are also available in English, Spanish, Amharic and Arabic and can be downloaded.
The application deadline for the second round of Alexandria Back to Business (ALX B2B) grants has been extended to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9. Grant funds will be available to qualifying small businesses and certain nonprofits to offset costs or investments related to reopening and rescaling their business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program eligibility criteria for the second round of grants expanded to include additional types of businesses and nonprofit childcare providers. Grants amounts will range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of employees. The application is available online through the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.
The Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) provides resources to residents who have lost employment due to COVID-19. The WDC has partnered with Virginia Career Works to develop the Northern Virginia Airports Rapid Response Layoff Services program to assist furloughed and laid off airline employees, and airport operations employees. WDC publishes a list of employers who are hiring, which is updated weekly, and hosts Meet the Employer and career fair events. There are also virtual workshops to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search, including job interviewing skills (also in Spanish), job search skills (also in Spanish), and networking skills. All 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 20 cases and one fatality in Alexandria as of October 3; 19 cases and no fatalities as of October 4; and 15 cases and no fatalities as of October 5; bringing the total to 3,927 cases, including 70 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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