For Immediate Release: October 30, 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.
AHD encourages everyone to get a flu vaccine as an important step for personal and community health. It is even more essential this year because the influenza virus shares many symptoms with COVID-19. Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone ages six months and older. Inova Care Services for Families is hosting free flu shot clinics for those without health insurance at their Alexandria location (4700 King St.), Wednesdays and Fridays, November 4 to 20, from 3 to 5 p.m., while supplies last. Appointments are required and should be scheduled by calling 571.665.6599. Flu shots for those without insurance are also available at low cost at AHD and Neighborhood Health locations, and can also be obtained at pharmacies, doctors’ offices and grocery stores with a pharmacy. For more information about how to obtain a flu shot, and how to prevent the flu, visit the City’s Flu Preparedness Information web page.
AHD has developed a checklist for families to help guide discussion with their daycare providers, to ensure everyone is following safety and health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Daycare providers should be prepared to answer questions about cohorting practices to minimize teachers and staff floating between classrooms, and whether hand sanitizer and other disinfecting supplies are regularly available. They should have contingency plans for mitigation measures, and communication plans already in place in the event a child or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. The Daycare Assessment Checklist is available for download on the City’s Coronavirus web page, along with many other resource materials that can help families teach their children how to stay healthy.
The City reminds residents that when they remain healthy and reduce the spread of COVID-19, they can help protect health care personnel from exposure to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data about the impact of exposure to COVID-19 patients on health care personnel. Data collection conducted between March 1 and May 31 shows that of the COVID-19 related hospitalized patients who were health care personnel, two-thirds performed duties with direct contact to infected patients. Similar to the distribution of the U.S. health care workforce overall, a majority of hospitalized health care personnel in this study were female. Women accounted for 72% of the health care personnel who were infected, 52% of whom were Black, 27% white, and 8% Hispanic, with a median age of 49 years. Approximately one-third of hospitalized health care personnel were admitted to intensive care units for an average length of 6 days and another 20% required more severe treatment or did not survive.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 4,303, including 74 fatalities. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
AHD estimates that approximately 1 in 13 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.
© 1995–2022 City of Alexandria, VA and others • Privacy & Legal • FOIA Requests
Translate