For Immediate Release: February 1, 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 Virginia Department of Health has provided new guidance regarding primary caregivers for persons with severe chronic medical conditions or intellectual or developmental disabilities requiring a high level of daily care. Primary caregivers perform a role similar to that of a home health aide or personal care aide, which are included in Phase 1a. Therefore, Alexandrians serving in this role should fill out the pre-registration form and identify as self-employed health care workers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order that requires masks to be worn by all public transportation travelers to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is effective as of Tuesday, February 2. Public transportation increases a person’s risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to prolonged periods of close contact and the need to interact with frequently touched surfaces. Public transportation employees must use best efforts to ensure that everyone waiting, embarking and disembarking is wearing a mask over their nose and mouth at all times, with limited exceptions. Efforts for compliance may include only boarding people wearing masks; instructing passengers of the federal law and requesting compliance; and disembarking any individual who refuses to comply. This order applies to all modes of public transportation within, to and from the United States, including airplanes, ships, ferries, subways, buses, and ride-shares.
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 resume building skills, job search skills, applying and interviewing for federal jobs, transferable skills, and networking skills. Residents can also access free “ SkillUp” workplace, business, and IT courses. 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.
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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