[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Paycheck Protection Program Reopens; COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit

­­For Immediate Release: January 12, 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.

Paycheck Protection Program Reopens

Effective January 11, the Small Business Administration has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for businesses. Initially, applications will only be open for “first draw” loans to businesses that have not previously received a PPP loan. First draw loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, mortgages, utilities, and worker protection costs related to COVID-19. The Alexandria Small Business Development Center offers additional information and resources, including individual counseling sessions for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit

Dealing with trauma during childhood can have a lifelong impact on a child. Breaks in routine, learning, and healthcare; missing out on milestone celebrations; and losing a sense of security because of the COVID-19 pandemic may have long-lasting effects on a child. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance for parents and caregivers about how to support the emotional, social and mental well-being of children and young people through the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations and resources are broken down by the stages of a child’s development, and address the different levels of understanding and awareness based on a child’s age and maturity level. Resources include materials that contain safety and self-care messaging that can be placed throughout the home; activities to reinforce staying safe and healthy; and conversation starters to help adults talk to children about their feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety. The City also has a “ Coping Resources for Parents and Children” flyer, which is available in Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic, and includes local crisis contact information.   

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.