For Immediate Release: December 3, 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.
There are three types of COVID-19 vaccines in the final stages of clinical trial, and they could soon be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public, starting with healthcare workers, residents in long-term care facilities, critical infrastructure workers, and persons at high risk for severe disease. Each vaccine uses a slightly different approach to develop immunity to the COVID-19 virus, but they all involve harmless proteins that teach the body to fight the virus in the future. Protein subunit vaccines contain harmless subunits of the virus; mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus to enable cells to make harmless proteins that will stimulate the immune system; vector vaccines contain a weakened version of a virus (different than the one that causes COVID-19) which has material from the virus that causes COVID-19 inserted into it and produces a harmless protein.
Most of the vaccines in Phase 3 clinical trials require two shots a few weeks apart; the first shot starts building protection and the second maximizes the protection. Building immunity can take several weeks, and individuals can still become infected with COVID-19 if they are exposed to it while in the process of receiving vaccines. Some individuals may experience side effects from the vaccines, including fever and body aches, which is the body’s normal response to developing immunity to a virus. It is not the COVID-19 infection. Because vaccine quantities will be limited during the initial weeks or months of distribution, it is not yet known which type will be received in Alexandria for the initial distributions. AHD is using guidance from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health to develop a plan for vaccine distribution to the public, and will provide more information as it becomes available. Vaccinations are an important tool to help stop this pandemic. Alexandrians are reminded to continue to follow all steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance on how to select and properly use hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hand washing with soap and water is the best way to properly clean and disinfect hands; hand sanitizer should only be used when it is not possible to wash hands. Always select a hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, ethyl alcohol, isopropanol, or 2-propanol. The FDA continues to update a “do not use” list of hand sanitizer brands that contain ingredients that can be harmful. Do not use products that are labeled “alcohol free.” For most effectiveness, rub hand sanitizer all over hands and fingers until dry and keep out of eyes and mouth. Keep hand sanitizer out of reach of children and supervise while they apply it. Do not rinse off hand sanitizer as it will reduce effectiveness. Do not use hand sanitizer to clean surfaces and do not apply it to pet fur or allow pets to ingest it. Seek medical attention immediately if hand sanitizer is ingested, but do not be concerned if children eat with or lick their hands after using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) is a state program that allows landlords to apply for financial assistance on behalf of their tenants who are experiencing difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible landlords can apply to receive funds covering current and past-due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020. RMRP is funded by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is administered by Virginia Housing. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, view the City’s RMRP flyer, which is also available in Spanish, Amharic and Arabic. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 11:59 p.m., December 30. For more information and to apply, visit virginiahousing.com/RMRP.
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 15 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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