For Immediate Release: January 22, 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.
As of January 22, Alexandria recorded more than 100 deaths due to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. This grim milestone is an important reminder that COVID-19 is still active in Alexandria and that every resident has a role in stopping the spread, particularly to safeguard those at highest risk of severe illness and death. While the arrival of vaccines offers hope that a return to normalcy is within reach, it may still be many months until the majority of Alexandrians are fully protected. AHD and the City hold the loved ones of the deceased in our thoughts.
Between January 15 and 21, AHD administered 2,692 doses of vaccine, for a total of 6,608 doses administered since December 24. These numbers do not include vaccines administered by private providers and pharmacies. Since December 22, 2020, AHD has received 12,200 doses of Moderna vaccine.
Alexandria’s dose breakdown to date:
6,608 administered by AHD at vaccination clinics
1,350 redistributed to community providers, such as healthcare providers and pharmacies who vaccinate those ages 75 and up who are on AHD's pre-registration list
2,742 allocated for upcoming appointments, including some second doses
1,500 received on behalf of, and transferred to, other health jurisdictions
The large pool of those eligible for Phase 1b may include some essential workers who are currently working almost entirely remotely with no exposure to the public. If that applies to you, consider waiting to receive your vaccine until supplies are more plentiful to ensure that those on the frontline without telework capabilities can be protected while they interact with the public.
As cases of COVID-19 continue to surge in Alexandria, and as new variants of the virus are beginning to emerge in the United States, it is critical for everyone to continue to wear masks properly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance on how to select, wear, and care for masks in order to receive maximum benefit. CDC advises that winter clothes, such as scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas, are not suitable face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, they should be worn over a protective mask. Statewide mitigation measures require that everyone ages 5 and older wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Download, print or share the City’s multilingual Tips for Using Masks flyer as a quick reference of the highlights of these guidelines. To request printed copies, please submit a COVID-19 Catalog Resource Request.
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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