[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Two Additional COVID-19 Variants of Concern Found in Virginia; Weekly Vaccine Updates

­­For Immediate Release: March 26, 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. 

Two Additional COVID-19 Variants of Concern Found in Virginia

On March 25, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced the first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, referred to as B.1.427 and B.1.429, that were found in COVID-19 tests collected between December 2020 and February 2021 from Virginia residents. The B.1.427 and B.1.429 variants first emerged in California in the summer of 2020, and are more contagious strains of COVID-19. Evidence suggests that infections with these variants do not cause more severe disease. However, more infectious forms of COVID-19 can lead to increased cases, which results in more hospitalizations and deaths. AHD urges residents to receive a vaccine when it becomes available to them and continue to follow steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others, wear a mask over both your nose and mouth, wash your hands, and disinfect surfaces.   

Weekly Vaccine Updates

During AHD vaccine clinics between March 19 and March 25, 2,673 people were partially vaccinated with a first dose and 859 people were fully vaccinated with either a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer or with the single required dose of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine. AHD's vaccinating partners, which include pharmacies and private providers, administered the remainder of Alexandria's vaccine supply this past week. 

Next week, Alexandria will receive approximately 11,040 doses, which are a mix of first and second doses and an increase of 3,340 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. 

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.