News | ALXnow - Part 957

Two More COVID-19 Deaths in Alexandria, Cases Jump to 1,460

Published May 16, 2020 at 1:10PM | Updated May 17, 2020 at 10:20PM

COVID-19 cases in Alexandria (ALXnow)

Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Alexandria, bringing the death toll from the virus to 34. There are also 1,460 cases reported in the city, an increase of 64 cases since yesterday, which is the largest jump since the first case was announced on March 11, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

A woman and man in their 80s are the latest victims of the virus. A large percentage of deaths have occurred at long-term care facilities, and there has been one death of a person in their 20s. There have been 16 reported deaths of residents in their 80s. One was a white resident who passed away in the hospital and the race of the other victim was not reported.

Feed the Fight Alexandria Director Gets $40 Parking Ticket Picking Up 300 Cupcakes for Inova Hospital Workers

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2020 at 5:15PM | Updated May 16, 2020 at 12:04PM

(Updated on May 16 at 12:00 p.m.) The director of Feed the Fight Alexandria was picking up 300 cupcakes from Alexandria Cupcake to donate to three Inova hospitals on May 6, when she found an unexpected surprise waiting on her windshield — a $40 parking ticket.

The ticket was later paid for by an Alexandria Police officer.

DCHS Director Says Coronavirus Highlights Preexisting Food Insecurities in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published May 15, 2020 at 4:30PM

Kate Garvey, Director of the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, says COVID-19 has helped lay bare existing islands of food insecurity in the city.

As her department has worked extensively with community partners like ALIVE! for food distribution, Garvey said the pandemic emphasizes a growing need.

Outdoor Dining Needs Put Old Town Walking District Back on the Menu

By Vernon Miles

Published May 15, 2020 at 3:15PM

Customers waiting for food orders outside of The Fish Market on King Street, April 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

An earlier plan to close a portion of King Street for pedestrian-and-bike-access-only could be making a comeback as restaurants look for ways to do outdoor dining as a social distancing measure.

In a virtual town hall, Mayor Justin Wilson addressed questions about the possibility of closing streets to promote pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The prospect has gained ground in New York City, San Francisco, and other urban localities. There has been pressure from some advocates in D.C. for the city to do the same.

Trends in Positive Tests and Hospitalizations Remains Sticking Point for Reopening Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published May 15, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated May 15, 2020 at 2:40PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at 4320 Seminary Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has met three of the five criteria for reopening, Mayor Justin Wilson said in a weekly town hall yesterday (Thursday), but the last two remain elusive.

Standards set out by the CDC, and reinforced at every level from the state to the local health director Dr. Stephen Haering, says that there are five standards that need to be met

Historic Streetcar Tracks Found During Water Main Repair in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2020 at 11:30AM

The Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services was repairing a water main break on King Street yesterday when a historical discovery was made.

A work crew uncovered streetcar rail lines from the city’s electric streetcar, which ended in 1932.

There Are Now 1,396 COVID-19 Cases in Alexandria, No New Deaths

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated May 15, 2020 at 10:32AM

A Neighborhood Health COVID-19 testing facility outside Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There are now 1,396 people with COVID-19 in Alexandria, an increase of 47 cases since yesterday, and no new deaths have been reported, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There are 32 fatalities related to the virus, but the did not update any of its demographic data for Alexandria and sex, age, racial and ethnic and ZIP code data yesterday. All that is publicly known is that a woman and a man are the latest victims of the virus. One victim was in their 80s and another was in their 70s.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 15, 2020 at 9:39AM

Arlandria in Crisis Over COVID-19 Spread — “Azucena Esquival lives in a cramped apartment in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria, where the problem of community spread isn’t just theoretical. The pandemic is in her household. Earlier this month, she tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Another adult in her household paid $300 to get a test, which was also positive. They are living with two people who have not been tested. None of them are currently working, and they have no source of income.” [Gazette]

Alexandria Unemployment Claims Spike — “As of the Times’ print deadline, Alexandria residents had filed 10,609 initial unemployment claims, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. Initial claims began pouring in throughout mid-March, climbing from 33 the week of March 14 to 797 the week of March 21.” [Alex Times]

Letter To The Editor: Only Government Action Can Save Arlandria Residents From COVID-19

By ALXnow.com

Published May 14, 2020 at 5:15PM

The following Letter to the Editor was written by John Liss, co-executive director of New Virginia Majority, a statewide racial justice and pro-democracy organization based in Arlandria.

Perhaps no greater community illustrates the tone-deaf nature of ignoring the most vulnerable communities than Arlandria/Chirilagua.

New Vocational School for Adults with Disabilities Planned for Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published May 14, 2020 at 4:30PM

A local nonprofit is planning to renovate an office building in Old Town into a facility dedicated to helping individuals with special needs get access to job training.

The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund (JPMF), an Alexandria based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs and their families, is planning to build a Community Integration Center — a facility aimed at providing adults with disabilities with training and resources for their personal and employment goals — at 919 Prince Street. The facility will also include two accessory dwelling units.

T.C. Seniors Launch Project to Give Graduating Classmates Moment in Spotlight

By Vernon Miles

Published May 14, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated May 17, 2020 at 10:12PM

(Updated 5/17) T.C. Williams High School seniors in the class of 2020 may not have their chance to walk across the stage, but a small group of seniors are working to make sure their classmates still get a moment of public celebration.

The Instagram page tctitans_seniors has profiled 92 seniors in the school so far, sharing a picture with their post-graduation plans and other small bits of information about them.