For Immediate Release: December 28, 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.
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 will conduct a targeted COVID-19 community testing event tomorrow, Tuesday, December 29, 12-2 p.m, at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Dr.). This testing event is drive-through only and is offered in partnership with Neighborhood Health, Alexandria's federally qualified health center. The City’s “ Get Tested” webpage also 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.
The Virginia Department of Health has added vaccine summary and demographics data to its COVID-19 dashboard. This additional information will help to keep residents informed of vaccine distribution in Virginia. The vaccines currently being administered in Virginia require two doses, given three to four weeks apart, depending on the vaccine received. Because the same type of vaccine is required for both doses, providers will enter the vaccine type and dose administered into the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS), to help them ensure that each person receives the correct second dose. VIIS contains vaccination information which is easily accessible by patients and health care workers; no other medical history is recorded in the system. VIIS provides the recorded doses administered on the vaccine dashboard, which focuses on vaccines by home ZIP code, while current vaccination efforts are based on employer ZIP code. Vaccine recipients can also use VIIS to obtain proof of vaccination.
On December 24, with operational support from the City and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, AHD vaccinated 251 health care workers who work in Alexandria and are not affiliated with a hospital as part of Phase 1a of vaccinations. Health care workers affiliated with a hospital receive their vaccine through their facility. AHD expects to receive ongoing shipments of the Moderna vaccine to meet the need in Alexandria. Two weeks ago, AHD emailed all health care organizations in the City who are not affiliated with a hospital to register their employees for the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), which allows them to schedule appointments. If you are eligible and did not receive this message, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..
AHD will report its weekly and total vaccination numbers in this daily COVID-19 news release on Fridays. In the event of a City holiday on a Friday, such as January 1, the numbers will be included the following Monday. During Phase 1a of vaccination, AHD's numbers reflect health care workers who are employed within the city limits of Alexandria. In contrast, the Virginia Department of Health vaccination dashboard reflects residency.
In the current Phase 1a, health care personnel are defined as paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings, who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. People who do not meet the criteria for health care personnel should not register for the vaccine at this time and their appointments will be cancelled. If you know of non-health care personnel that have inappropriately received access to VAMS, please contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988. Vaccine prioritization is determined at the federal and state level based on ethical allocation of limited supplies and deliberate consideration to maximize the benefit of the vaccine while reducing the harms of COVID-19. AHD takes these considerations seriously and will enforce these allocations appropriately; everyone who wants to receive a vaccine will eventually be able to do so as supplies increase in the coming weeks and months.
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.
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