For Immediate Release: January 6, 2021
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.
On January 6, Governor Northam announced eligible groups for the next phases of COVID-19 vaccination. Although Virginia is currently still in Phase 1a (health care workers and people in long-term care settings), AHD is prepared to begin Phase 1b vaccinations and has petitioned the state to allow Alexandria to move into the next tier. AHD expects to learn more in the next few days about when Alexandria can move into Phase 1b.
Phase 1b includes people ages 75 and older living in Alexandria, those in correctional facilities and homeless shelters, and frontline essential workers who work in Alexandria, regardless of their residency. Frontline essential worker categories include police, fire and hazmat; corrections and shelters; childcare and K-12; agriculture; manufacturing; grocery stores; public transit; and public and private mail carriers.
Phase 1c includes people ages 65-74 who live in Alexandria; those aged 16-64 who live in Alexandria and have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19; and other essential workers who work in Alexandria, regardless of their residency. Other essential worker categories include energy; water and wastewater; housing construction; food service; transportation, higher education; finance; communications; media; legal, public safety engineers; other public health workers; and officials needed to maintain continuity of government.
AHD has begun outreach to organizations employing Phase 1b and 1c workers to collect the needed information to register for a vaccine appointment. Organizations that have not been contacted and individuals who qualify for Phase 1b or 1c based on age or medical condition should fill out this brief form. AHD is working closely with senior serving organizations to reach residents ages 75 and older who do not have access to the internet or an email address.
The current deadline for landlords to apply for the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program, to cover overdue rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended to January 25. Applications that have not yet been submitted can now include requests to cover January rent payments. Previously submitted applications are also eligible to include January rent through a contract amendment process. Virginia Housing is working quickly to review submitted applications so that renters or landlords may request January rent coverage. Beginning on or before February 1, a new application will be available for new landlord submissions only. The same eligibility requirements must be met to qualify. Households that have already been approved do not need to submit a new application. Those seeking coverage for January rent who have already submitted an application should use the contract amendment process. Homeowners and renters can also apply directly for assistance by taking a survey to determine if they are eligible, or submit a new application online or by phone at 703.962.1884. Alexandria landlords who have residents in need of rental assistance should contact Virginia Housing at RMRP@VirginiaHousing.com for assistance, or visit virginiahousing.com/rmrp.
Alexandria residents who have received eviction notices should call the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990 for assistance. Residents impacted by COVID-19 should call 703.746.5700 or text 703.346.5599 to determine eligibility for
rental assistance and eviction prevention programs, and review additional
services and resources offered by the City.
ALIVE! Truck-to-Trunk will distribute emergency groceries at two drive-through sites on Saturday, January 9, 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 via Dawes Ave.). 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.
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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