[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Alexandria COVID-19 Case Count Update; Vaccine Pre-registration Notice; Weekly Jobs and Workshops

­­For Immediate Release: January 11, 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.

Alexandria COVID-19 Case Count Update

Knowing how to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 can be tough. Checking if cases are going up or down can be one important fact to consider. In the coming weeks, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will be updating how COVID-19 cases are counted. Currently, cases are counted after they have been reviewed by a case investigator. The upcoming VDH change will add cases to the count of the jurisdiction where the patient apparently lives. Upon later review, VDH may determine that the patient actually resides in a different locality and adjust the case counts accordingly. Although this will generally result in cases being reported closer in time to their diagnoses, it will result in more frequent adjustments later. Visit Alexandria’s dashboard to review the 7-day moving average number of cases and see how cases are trending.

Vaccine Pre-Registration Notice

AHD has received a significant response to the request to pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment under Phase 1b, and appreciates everyone’s patience if the form loads slowly or confirmation emails are delayed. Employers of essential workers in Phase 1b will receive an automated email with instructions for next steps. Individuals who are 75 or older will receive instructions about how to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. If you have not received an email, please check your spam or junk filter. Those who have pre-registered for Phase 1c will be contacted once Alexandria reaches that phase. Anyone with additional questions about the COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged to call the Alexandria COVID-19 hotline at 703.746.4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Staff are working to respond to requests quickly and appointments will be continually added to accommodate the need.

Weekly Featured Jobs and Workshops

Residents who have lost employment due to COVID-19 are encouraged to review the list of employers who are hiring, which is updated weekly. The Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) has several workshops coming up to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search, including interviewing skills and networking skills. All events and workshops take place online, are free, and registration is requested. Follow WDC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for the latest flyer, or visit the WDC’s job board for a complete list of job opportunities.  

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.