News

Here’s Where Alexandria Residents Might be Getting COVID-19

By James Cullum

Where are Alexandrians getting COVID-19 these days?

A majority of recent coronavirus cases in Alexandria might be the result of contacts at home, indoor gatherings and eating out, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

“The activities an individual participant reported may or may not have been the sources of COVID-19 exposure for that individual; however, they do demonstrate trends and suggest common links for people who become ill,” according to AHD.

The department interviewed 422 city residents with the virus from September 21 to October 19, and discovered the following trends:

  • 44% lived with someone who recently had COVID-19
  • 25% went to their workplace
  • 10% went to a public event, social gathering, or entertainment activity, with most gatherings occurring indoors
  • 7% travelled outside of the Alexandria/D.C. area, with most travel in the U.S.
  • 7% went to a restaurant or bar, with two-thirds eating indoors and one-third eating outdoors

The Health Department recommends that residents avoid travel as much as possible, limit gatherings, wear face masks and take precautions when a family member tests positive for the virus.

There have been 74 confirmed COVID-related deaths in Alexandria, and there are or have been 4,248 cases since the pandemic started in March, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.