For Immediate Release: October 19, 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) offers guidance for how to care for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the household, whether or not they have symptoms of being sick. Helping with basic needs, such as grocery shopping or picking up prescriptions, ensuring they are following instructions for medication, and caring for pets can help alleviate concerns and reduce the possibility of exposure to others. It is very important to limit contact by eating in separate rooms or areas and avoiding shared personal items with the sick person. Frequently washing hands, sanitizing high-contact surfaces, using a separate trash can, and self-monitoring health are equally important to prevent spread of COVID-19. While providing care, watch for worsening symptoms and have the sick person’s doctor’s name and phone number available, and become familiar with warning signs that might require immediate attention. If a sick household member requires emergency medical care, call or text 911 and inform the dispatcher that the person has COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions. The City has developed a worksheet, “What To Do If You Get Sick,” which is also available in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Farsi, that provides easily accessible guidance and help take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Residents who have lost employment due to COVID-19 are encouraged to review the list of employers who are hiring, which is updated weekly by the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC). The Job-tober Northern Virginia Virtual Career Fair will take place on October 22, between 2 and 6 p.m., and offers job seekers the opportunity to speak with representatives from more than 65 hiring organizations. Several workshops are available this week to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search, including job interviewing skills (also in Spanish), job search skills, resume building skills, and preparing for a virtual job fair. 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 18 cases and no fatalities in Alexandria as of October 17; 13 cases and no fatalities as of October 18; and 6 cases and 1 fatality as of October 19; bringing the total to 4,123 cases, including 75 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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