For Immediate Release: February 16, 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 (VDH) has updated the list of eligible occupations under Phase 1b of COVID-19 vaccination to include two additions: Faith Leaders and Cleaning/Janitorial staff. These groups are eligible in the jurisdiction where their employment is based. VDH also clarified that rideshare employees, such as Uber and Lyft, are considered as Phase 1b public transit employees. Those who work in rideshare are eligible in the jurisdiction where they live. VDH notes that these changes will be reflected in the new statewide pre-registration system within the next week.
The pandemic has placed our community under incredible pressure and stress. While the wait for vaccines and anxiety regarding a place in line have caused frustration, there is no excuse for abusive or threatening language, messages, or behavior. This sort of behavior, whether in person, via phone, or in email is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The vaccine supply is extremely limited at this time but everyone will be vaccinated as soon as supply allows.
On Saturday, February 13, AHD canceled a COVID-19 vaccine event due to inclement weather; the decision was not made lightly. AHD must balance the safety of residents, staff, and volunteers with the importance of vaccinating the public. When weather conditions make it dangerous to drive to and from the clinic; for patients to walk in and out of the vaccine site; and for staff and volunteers to work outside, vaccine events will be canceled. AHD will determine weather-related cancellations of COVID-19 vaccine clinics in conjunction with other City departments; decisions may not always align with City operating status. Vaccine clinic cancellation decisions are unrelated to ACPS closures. Weather-related cancellations will be noted on the City’s homepage at alexandriava.gov as an inclement weather alert. AHD will email patients to inform them of cancellations and send rescheduling instructions. Everyone with appointments will be rescheduled and no one will lose their place in line for vaccines.
There is no need to worry if you don’t receive your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the exact date listed on your vaccine record card. While the recommended timing between first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses is 28 days for Moderna and 21 days for Pfizer, there is some flexibility in this schedule. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines state that second doses may be given as many as four days earlier than the recommended date and 42 days (six weeks) after the first dose. There is no need to restart the series in the event a second dose interval exceeds the recommended timing. AHD will schedule and administer doses based on their ability to provide safe vaccine clinics (e.g. considering inclement weather).
It takes two weeks from the second dose for vaccines to offer full protection. AHD advises that while vaccines are a powerful tool to protect you and your loved ones, it is important to continue to follow the Six Steps to Stop the Spread and other mitigation measures, including avoiding non-essential travel or gatherings.
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)’s latest podcast episode, “ How Older Workers are Staying Confident During the Pandemic” is now available. WDC offers several workshops to help residents enhance job readiness, including job search skills, transferable skills, and applying and interviewing for a federal job. Residents can also access free “ SkillUp” workplace, business, and IT courses. Additionally, the City’s Office of the Arts is offering a professional development for artists and makers workshop. 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 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.
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