For Immediate Release: January 13, 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.
The 7-day moving average of new cases in Alexandria reached its highest point to date yesterday, at 94.6 new cases per day. The City and AHD urge residents to follow mitigation measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 while Alexandria remains in a surge. Always maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others of different households. A City ordinance and state order require that everyone ages 5 and up wear a mask in public in all indoor shared settings and outdoor settings. Executive Order 72 also requires all residents to remain in their place of residence between midnight and 5 a.m. with limited exceptions. Social gatherings are limited to 10 participants and restaurants must stop serving alcohol at 10 p.m. and close by midnight. Please adhere to these guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Alexandria.
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 from entering the United States from other countries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order that requires all international air passengers to have documented proof of a negative COVID-19 test result prior to travel. Beginning January 26, all passengers must be tested no more than three days before their flights depart and provide proof of a negative result, or provide documentation of recovery from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This order applies to all passengers 2 years of age or older, including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
This new order does not change existing travel restrictions that were put in place in 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. from other countries. Travelers who have met the criteria to end isolation following a positive test result may travel with documentation of recovery. Airlines must deny boarding to any passengers who do not have documentation, or who have tested positive for COVID-19. CDC recommends that travelers get tested 3-5 days after travel and quarantine for at least 7 days, even with a negative test result. The City has testing kiosks available to make it quick and easy to get tested 7 days a week. Testing is free, assistance can be provided in Spanish, and results are available within 48-72 hours.
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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