For Immediate Release: December 31, 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.
The City and AHD strongly encourage those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to receive it as soon as possible. Currently, that includes health care workers, and staff and residents of long-term care facilities. For those scheduled to receive the vaccine, learn more about what to expect after vaccination. For a small percentage of patients, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines will cause a reaction from the body’s immune system for a day or two. This may include pain or swelling on the arm where the shot was administered, fever, chills, tiredness, or headache. All of these side effects are normal. The reaction to the immunization is a sign that the vaccine is working, not an indication of illness. COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 infections. Even if you experience these symptoms you should get the second shot unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
An immediate allergic reaction is distinctly different from side effects. Immediate allergic reaction can include anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening and can involve numerous signs and symptoms within four hours of vaccination. Symptoms of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or sensation of throat closing, low blood pressure, generalized hives (rash), itching or swelling of lips, face or throat. Persons who have had a severe allergic reaction in the past to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine should not get that vaccine. Review the ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine and Moderna vaccine with your health care provider, and do not get that vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the past. If you have a history of mild or severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications, such as food, animals, venom, latex or environmental allergens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that you may still get vaccinated. People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also still get vaccinated.
The first cases of a new variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which was originally reported in the United Kingdom, have emerged in the United States. It is one of several variants around the world, which scientists are monitoring closely. While these COVID-19 variants do not appear to result in more severe illness, hospitalization, or greater risk of death, they are more contagious and spread more easily. It is believed that current vaccines will still be effective against these new variants and will eventually provide protection. Staying home whenever possible, wearing a mask, and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from others outside the household remain critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 regardless of the variant. Contact tracing is also important to mitigating spread of the virus, and is currently underway to determine how the cases of the new COVID-19 variant arrived in the U.S., and alert everyone who may have been exposed to the people infected with it.
While COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Alexandria and the region, AHD urges residents to choose virtual holiday activities, which pose the lowest risk for the spread of the virus. Options being hosted in Alexandria and across the region include:
First Night Alexandria - The family-friendly 26-year tradition continues with a “Night of Nostalgia.”
New Year’s Restaurant Options - Celebrate the New Year and support Alexandria restaurants that are offering take-out dinner menus for New Year’s Eve. Many also have take-out
New Year’s Day brunch options. Restaurants are required to close at midnight, per statewide
Executive Order 72.
This daily COVID-19 news release will not be published on City holidays unless there is a major announcement to share. In observance of the New Year’s holiday, all City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Friday, January 1, and the COVID-19 news release will resume on Monday, January 4. Daily data will continue to be available at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
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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