[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; COVID-19 Vaccines at a Glance; Weekly Vaccine Updates; Statewide Tornado Drill

­­For Immediate Release: March 12, 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. 

COVID-19 Vaccines at a Glance

As authorized COVID-19 vaccines become available for use in Alexandria, residents can learn about each option. AHD recommends that the best vaccine is the one available to you first. AHD is committed to supporting vaccine transparency and all appointment invitations will be clearly labelled with the type of vaccine being offered. The Virginia Department of Health provides a simple side-by-side review of all three currently authorized vaccines in English and Spanish. Learn more about each brand and how they work with resources from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Weekly Vaccine Updates

During AHD vaccine clinics between March 5 and March 11, 1,292 people were partially vaccinated with a first dose and 2,515 people were fully vaccinated with either a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer or with the single required dose of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine. This does not include vaccines administered by private providers and pharmacies. 

Next week, Alexandria will receive approximately 5,040 doses, which are a mix of first and second doses and an increase of 560 doses compared to the current week. This does not include additional vaccine supplies from federal programs provided directly to participating pharmacies and Alexandria's federally qualified health center, Neighborhood Health. AHD uses the doses received at their large vaccine events and allocates the rest to private providers. AHD directly schedules appointments, by phone or email, for their vaccine events and the vast majority of private providers in Alexandria from the existing pre-registration list. The other private providers are vaccinating eligible residents based on AHD's guidance. 

Statewide Tornado Drill During Severe Weather Awareness Week March 15-19

The Alexandria Office of Emergency Management encourages everyone to help promote severe weather safety by participating in Virginia’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week March 15-19. With many people working from home to stop the spread of COVID-19, the annual drill is an excellent opportunity to make a plan with your family in case of a tornado and to test public warning systems. Residents are reminded to update emergency kits with supplies that will protect the household from COVID-19, including extra face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

Alexandria residents and businesses are encouraged to perform a tornado drill by themselves, with family, or with coworkers and post pictures of your participation using #ALXTornadoDrill. Follow the City’s Office of Emergency Management on social media for severe weather preparedness tips and information. To receive emergency notifications by text or email, subscribe to the City’s free Alexandria eNews service at alexandriava.gov/eNews.

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.