[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Rent Relief Program Accepting Applications; Vaccines for Pregnant and Nursing Individuals; Weekly Featured Jobs and Workshops

­­For Immediate Release: March 15, 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. 

Rent Relief Program Accepting Applications for April Payments

In February, Virginia received $500 million in new federal housing assistance, $160 million of which is being made available to renters and landlords through the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP). The City of Alexandria Eviction Prevention Task Force urges residents who need help making rent payments due COVID-19 hardships to check to see if they are eligible and apply through the RRP web page, or call 211. Landlords are encouraged to apply on behalf of tenants to receive assistance for delinquent rental payments from April 1, 2020, and forward. Renters who received assistance for past-due rent through the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) can reapply through RRP for help with future rental payments. 

The Office of Housing also offers emergency eviction prevention assistance, including rental assistance related to COVID-19 impacts, for Alexandria residents facing eviction. Residents who have received a 5- or 14-Day “Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Property,” a court summons or an eviction notice should call 703.746.4990. For more information on rental assistance programs and other services available to Alexandria residents, visit the Eviction Prevention Task Force webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant and Nursing Individuals

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued updated guidance reaffirming that pregnant and lactating individuals who wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can be vaccinated. ACOG noted that after an explicit, evidence-based review of all available data, the COVID-19 vaccines do not pose an additional danger to those who are pregnant or lactating. Symptomatic pregnant patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of more severe illness. Moreover, pregnant patients with underlying conditions such as obesity and diabetes, may be at an even higher risk of severe illness than the general population with similar conditions. 

Job Fair, Weekly Featured Jobs and Workshops

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) is promoting an upcoming virtual job fair with G3 Global Hiring on March 23. WDC also has several workshops coming up to help residents enhance job readiness and improve their job search, including job searching skills, networking skills, preparing for a virtual job fair, and transferable skills. Residents can also access free “ SkillUp” workplace, business, and IT courses. 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.  

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.