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.