[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; CDC Launches New Website Tracking COVID-19 Variants in U.S.; Some Alexandria Museums Reopen

­­For Immediate Release: March 18, 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. 

CDC Launches New Website Tracking COVID-19 Variants in U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new website that identifies new and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants to determine implications for COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. There are currently five strains that the CDC classifies as “Variant of Concern” in the U.S. The CDC uses genomic sequencing collected from COVID-19 cases to analyze and determine the variant of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for an infection. After conducting hundreds of tests, the percentage of cases each variant causes is calculated. “Variants of Concern” were responsible for 3.6% of COVID-19 cases in Virginia during a four-week period ending February 13. 

Some Alexandria Museums Reopen

Beginning Thursday, March 25, the Office of Historic Alexandria will reopen some of its museums to the public. Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, Friendship Firehouse Museum and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will open with modified hours, capacities, and advance ticket requirements, which vary by location. Visitors are encouraged to visit the museum web page before they visit. For the safety of museum staff, volunteers and guests, visitors are expected to follow the requirements of Executive Order 72 and the City mask ordinance. Everyone ages 5 and older is required to wear masks that fit snugly over their nose and mouth at all times; to keep 6 feet of physical distance between households; and to wash hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol frequently. Visit the Historic Alexandria webpage for information on the status of the other museums and a complete list of online resources.     

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.