For Immediate Release: November 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. To stop the spread of COVID-19, the state order and City ordinance require everyone to wear a mask over their noses and mouths 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, with limited exceptions. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
The City and AHD have partnered with Neighborhood Health, with assistance from Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, to conduct targeted COVID-19 testing events in Alexandria’s communities to increase access to testing. These free testing events are intended 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 multilingual guide to testing facilities every day of the week, a symptom checker, and an interactive map to find testing locations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance for those returning from travel. Travelers may have been exposed to COVID-19 and be contagious despite not having symptoms. All travelers should get tested, stay at home, wear a mask when leaving home is unavoidable, and practice physical distancing. The CDC urges travelers who engaged in high-risk activities to get tested 3-5 days after their return and stay home for at least 7 days, even with a negative test result, or stay home for at least 14 days if not tested. They should also stay away from others who may be at risk of severe illness for at least 14 days after travel. This interim guidance on the timing for post-travel testing is a change from previous guidance recommending testing after 7-10 days. The CDC will be issuing additional changes to quarantine guidance later this week. High-risk activities include attending social gatherings, being in crowded bars or restaurants, and using public transportation. Travelers who receive a positive test result should review the “What To Do If You Get Sick” worksheet (available in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic and Farsi), and cooperate with health department contact tracing efforts to identify and inform others who may have been exposed.
When planning holiday shopping this year, staying home and shopping online is the safest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. AHD strongly urges all residents, including those who choose to shop in-person, to follow the statewide mitigation measures. Everyone 5 years and older is required to wear a mask in all public settings and to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. Residents can support local businesses in the first Alexandria Shop Small Week, November 27-December 6. Retail businesses that are partners in the ALX Promise program, to provide a safer, healthier environment for customers and staff, are offering special shopping options like curbside pick-up, private appointments and online stores. Shop Small Week also includes offers, theme days, giveaways, and more.
Residents who have lost employment due to COVID-19 are encouraged to review the list of employers who are hiring, which is updated weekly. This week, the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) is participating in the Northern Virginia Virtual Job Fair, where candidates can meet employers via chat and video from a computer, tablet or smartphone. Opportunities include building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, office and administrative support, food preparation, personal care and healthcare, sales, technology, and transportation. Registration and a PDF version of a resume are required to participate. WDC is also offering several workshops to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search, including resume building skills, job searching skills, transferable skills, 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 chart below, containing the seven-day moving average number of COVID-19 cases and the daily and cumulative case and fatality counts, provides detailed information about how preventive measures are impacting Alexandria's response to the pandemic. An interactive version is available at alexandriava.gov/114883. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, are available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
AHD estimates that approximately 1 in 13 Alexandrians who tested positive for COVID-19 have required hospitalization. An estimated 66% of Virginia adults who become infected never have symptoms. The best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 remain wearing a mask in public, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others, and frequently washing your hands or carrying and using hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol. Help your loved ones and neighbors by answering a call from AHD if identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, and download the Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDWISE app to be quickly and anonymously notified of likely exposure to the virus.
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