[Archived] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates; Child Care Subsidy Program Expanded; Updated Travel and Cruise Guidance

­­For Immediate Release: April 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. 

Child Care Subsidy Program Expanded

The Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program has expanded eligibility to include caregivers who are job searching and families earning 85% of the Virginia Median Income. For example, a family of four earning less than $7,412 per month may be eligible for 12 months of child care assistance. This temporary expansion will help parents cover the cost of child care and find or maintain employment as Virginia takes steps toward recovery from the COVID-19 public health crisis. Expanded eligibility categories include job search status and income for parents of young children. Visit the Department of Social Services website to apply and for additional resources, or view their “ Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program” flyer for answers to questions about the temporary eligibility expansion. Applications must be submitted by July 31.    

Updated Travel and Cruise Guidance 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance regarding travel to other countries and travelers on cruise ships and river cruises. An interactive map shows the level of risk of exposure to COVID-19 by country, ranging from level unknown, to level four. The CDC recommends avoiding countries rated as unknown and level 4. All passengers arriving in the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative test result or documentation of recovery before they board their flight. Masks are required on all public transportation traveling into, throughout, and out of the U.S., and in airports and stations. The CDC has assessed cruise ships at a level four risk level, and recommends that all travelers avoid cruise ships and river cruises, due to the high risk of exposure in crowded and close quarters onboard. The CDC provides guidance to Travelers Returning to Cruise Ships and River Cruise Voyages, including steps vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers should take if considering cruise travel.   

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.