[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Testing Options; Emergency Food Distribution this Saturday

­­For Immediate Release: December 16, 2020

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) strongly urge residents to stay home as much as possible during the current surge of COVID-19 cases in our community. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are increasing in Alexandria. Take immediate and ongoing action to control the spread by wearing a mask over both your nose and mouth, staying home unless it’s necessary to go out, and washing your hands frequently. Without these critical steps, additional lives may be at risk.

COVID-19 Testing Options 

Positive cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Alexandria and residents who are experiencing symptoms or think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 are urged to get tested. AHD and the City conduct targeted COVID-19 community testing events for people who live and work in the immediate neighborhood of each location, since parking may be limited. In partnership with Neighborhood Health, Alexandria's federally qualified health center, and assistance from AHD’s Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, nearly 220 people were tested on December 15 at Burke Branch Library. The City’s “ Get Tested” webpage contains a variety of resources, including testing options whether or not you are insured, have been exposed to COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms. Call or book an appointment online before going to any facility. AHD will continue to identify future sites and coordinate targeted testing events. There should be no copays or self-pay charges for COVID-19 testing. If you have received a bill from Neighborhood Health for COVID-19 testing, please disregard it. You are not responsible for any charges. If you have any questions or concerns about having received bills from Neighborhood Health, please email billing@neighborhoodhealthva.org.  

Emergency Food Distribution this Saturday

ALIVE! Truck-to-Trunk will distribute emergency groceries at two drive-through sites on Saturday, December 19, 8:30-10:30 a.m., in the parking lot of Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave.) and parking lot B-1 of the Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus (3320 Bisdorf Drive). To minimize risk of possible exposure to COVID-19, attendees are asked to drive through and remain in their cars and stay home if they feel sick. Walk-up customers are permitted but should maintain 6 feet of physical distance, wear face masks, and bring carts or reusable bags to carry food home. Additional food assistance resources are available for Alexandria residents.   

Alexandria COVID-19 Data At-a-Glance

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 calling your close contacts if you test positive for COVID-19. Learn who to call and what to say from AHD's “ What to Do If You Get Sick” guidance, which is available in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Farsi or this brief video. Download the Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDWISE app to be quickly and anonymously notified of likely exposure to the virus.