[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Avoiding Eviction or Foreclosure Workshop; Weather Closures for Vaccine Appointments; Multilingual Vaccine Flyers

­­For Immediate Release: February 9, 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.

Avoiding Eviction or Foreclosure Workshop

Attend a virtual webinar about your rights and options regarding eviction or foreclosure, Saturday, February 13, at 11 a.m. in English, and at 1 p.m. in Spanish. Information for renters and homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure during the pandemic will include regional statistics; eviction laws; COVID-19 moratoriums and federal updates; state resources; and legal services. This event is free to attend, but registration is required. This webinar is one of a series of monthly workshops and exhibits offered through the Northern Virginia Housing Expo, which runs through December 2021 and includes a 24-hour Exhibitor Hall featuring lenders, property management companies, developers, contractors, real estate agents, service providers, local jurisdictions and more. Confidential individual financial counseling is also available. For more information about the Expo and other housing resources and assistance, visit alexandriava.gov/Housing.

Multilingual Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccines are a key ingredient to reduce illness, save lives, and return to normalcy in Alexandria. The City has developed shareable multilingual resources to explain the role of vaccines to end the pandemic. “ Why Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?” explains the many benefits of being vaccinated and is available in Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. “ Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe?” provides details about the development of the vaccines and what can be expected after vaccination, and are also available in Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. The City’s Multilingual Resource Catalog offers an extensive collection of COVID-19 materials for residents and business owners to download, share and print, or submit a request for printed materials.    

Weather Closures for Vaccine Appointments

In case of inclement weather, AHD's COVID-19 vaccine events will align with the City of Alexandria's closure decisions. AHD's vaccine events will continue as scheduled if City of Alexandria government offices are open, even when ACPS is closed. Those with AHD COVID-19 vaccine appointments should monitor the City's operating status announcements online at alexandriava.gov. If a vaccine event is cancelled, participants will receive further instructions via email on how to reschedule appointments. Those with COVID-19 vaccine appointments at community providers should contact the pharmacy or clinic directly if they cannot attend.

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 20 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.