[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period Now Open; Update to Curative Testing Kiosk Hours

­­For Immediate Release: February 23, 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.

Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period Now Open

As a result of a Presidential executive order, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is available through May 15 to provide health insurance to anyone who is not currently covered. During this period, new applications or updates to existing health insurance plans can be submitted, with no qualifying event required. The Virginia State Corporation Commission “ Information & Enrollment” webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions, including enrollment and eligibility information; health benefits and coverages; appeals, complaints and issues; small business health options program; and information for assisters and carriers. Information is also available in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese, with translation services available on the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange hotline at 833.740.1364, or the Healthcare.gov hotline at 800.318.2596. Visit coverva.org/assistance for a list of options for in-person and phone assistance.

Update to Curative Testing Kiosk Hours

Beginning March 1, the Curative COVID-19 Testing Kiosk at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.) weekday operating hours will be adjusted to 4 to 8 p.m. This change will accommodate the re-opening of in-person learning at the adjacent Cora Kelly Elementary School. Saturday operating hours will remain 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit curative.com to pre-register for a COVID-19 test.

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.