[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Now Scheduling: Eligibility Groups by Pre-registration Date; Emergency Food Distribution this Saturday; Libraries Reopen Monday

­­For Immediate Release: March 10, 2021

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) strongly urge residents to stay home as much as possible, wear a mask over both your nose and mouth, and wash your hands frequently. Pre-register to receive the vaccine and you’ll be notified once appointments are available. AHD estimates that approximately 1 in 20 Alexandrians who have tested positive for COVID-19 have required hospitalization, so without these critical steps, additional lives may be at risk. 

Now Scheduling: Eligibility Groups by Pre-registration Date

AHD has attempted to contact, and is currently scheduling, the following groups of people for COVID-19 vaccinations. AHD uses an equitable approach to prioritize within Phase 1b groups.

• Ages 75+: AHD prioritizes this group on an ongoing basis.
• Ages 65-74: Everyone who pre-registered by February 12.
• Ages 16-64 with underlying conditions: 

  • Those in priority census tracts who pre-registered by 9 p.m. on January 22.

  • Those in all other census tracts who pre-registered by 11 a.m. on January 17.
• Essential frontline workers: Everyone who pre-registered by February 25.
  If you are an essential worker who registered before February 25 and you have not been contacted to schedule an appointment, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov to ensure that your employment is accurately listed. Note: restaurant workers who have been newly classified as being eligible in Phase 1b will be contacted within the next few weeks. 

If you are in one of the categories above and you pre-registered before the date listed and have not been contacted by AHD, first check your spam folder. If you do not have a message in your spam folder, fill out this brief form. This form is not for people who are curious about when their group will be contacted next. Anyone who does not have email or internet access should contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 703.746.4988. 

Emergency Food Distribution this Saturday

ALIVE! Truck-to-Trunk will distribute emergency groceries for Alexandria residents at two drive-through sites on Saturday, March 13, 8:30-10:30 a.m., in the parking lot of Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Ave.) and parking lot B-1 of the Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus (3320 Bisdorf Drive via Dawes Ave.). Per college policy, if they close for any reason, such as inclement weather, the food distribution will be canceled. To minimize risk of possible exposure to COVID-19, attendees are asked to drive through and remain in their cars and stay home if they feel sick. Walk-up service is reserved for residents without personal vehicles. Customers who participate in walk-up service should maintain 6 feet of physical distance, wear face masks, and bring carts or reusable bags to carry food home. Customers with vehicles should use the drive-through option. Additional food assistance resources are available for Alexandria residents.     

Libraries Reopen Monday

Effective Monday, March 15, Alexandria Libraries will reopen to the public with limited hours and occupancy, including staff, which vary from branch to branch. As Phase Three of their reopening plan, all guests ages 5 and older will be expected to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times while inside the library. Food and drink will not be allowed into the library to ensure that masks are worn at all times, and a mask will be provided to anyone who arrives without one. All guests will have their temperature taken upon arrival and will be refused entry if they are above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and offered curbside pickup or delivery as alternatives. Customers are allowed to remain in the building for up to two hours, including any computer time, but may re-enter after 30 minutes, and must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from other guests throughout their visit. Meeting spaces remain closed and curbside pickup will continue for anyone who is uncomfortable entering branch buildings. For more information, visit alexlibraryva.org.  

Alexandria COVID-19 Data At-a-Glance

The seven-day moving average chart below shows the number of COVID-19 cases and the daily and cumulative case and fatality counts, and provides detailed information about how preventive measures are impacting Alexandria's response to the pandemic. An interactive version is available at alexandriava.gov/114883. The vaccination chart includes total doses administered across all facilities and the percentage of residents ages 16 and older who have been partially and fully vaccinated, and is available at alexandriava.gov/120654. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, are available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. 

Continue following measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 even after vaccination. Get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you test positive, help loved ones and neighbors by informing your close contacts using “ What to Do If You Get Sick” guidance, which is available in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Farsi or this brief video.