Alexandria’s coronavirus transmission rate has shifted from “High” to “Substantial”, as the spread of the virus has slowed over the past week.
As of today (Monday, October 25), the number of cases climbed to 14,194, up 124 cases since this time last week. The seven day average of daily new cases reported is 18, down from 22 last week.
Halloween is fast approaching and the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating will be back in full swing.
Last year, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) had discouraged the practice for fear of spreading the coronavirus throughout the community. Many holiday traditions in Alexandria, such as the Del Ray Halloween Parade and the Lee Street Halloween Event, were canceled in favor of much smaller, more somber festivities.
(Updated at 425 p.m. Tuesday, October 19) Alexandria has reached yet another grim milestone, as the city surpassed 14,000 reported cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
As of today (Monday, October 18), the number of cases has climbed to 14,070, up 171 cases since this time last week.
Months after the majority of Alexandria residents were fully vaccinated, coronavirus precautions now turn toward booster shots aimed at keeping those vaccinations effective.
A Pfizer vaccine booster has already been approved and yesterday a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel authorized booster shots for Moderna’s vaccine.
Alexandria seniors can now get free transportation from Alexandria Yellow Cab to get their COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.
“The City’s Division of Aging and Adult Services is coordinating transportation for City of Alexandria residents to and from vaccination sites in or outside of Alexandria,” the City reports. “Individuals do not need to be signed up for Senior Taxi for this service.”
Northern Virginia Community College wants to close the achievement gap, and its new vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer has a plan.
Eun-Woo Chang started work in July by visiting all six campuses and meeting with staff. His job is to take charge of NOVA’s academic initiatives, and says that the college’s ADVANCE program, which allows for a smooth transition to a four-year degree at George Mason University, will be expanded with advisors to help Hispanic students.
There have been four more deaths in Alexandria due to COVID-19 since last week, bringing the death toll from the virus to 148.
In the meantime, Alexandria was praised last week by Governor Ralph Northam for having the highest vaccination rate among teens in Virginia. The city is also currently preparing to provide vaccines for children under the age of 12.
Alexandria will begin implementing a vaccine mandate on October 25, ALXnow has learned.
City employees who aren’t vaccinated by that time are required to get weekly COVID-19 tests, the city said in a statement.
It was a busy fall week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.
Our top story this week was on a plan to completely close off the 100 block of King Street as a pedestrian-only zone. The plan has been in the works since 2019, and was put into action last year. ALXnow’s poll on the subject had very one-sided results, showing 91% (791 votes) in favor of a permanent change.
The Alexandria Health Department, over the weekend, started distributing Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots.
While the boosters for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are yet to be approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the city is also recommending that residents also get a flu shot at the same time.
For more than a month, Alexandria has experienced high COVID-19 transmission levels, but that isn’t stopping public events from happening.
Last week, the City Council unanimously voted to extend the state of emergency until January 31, 2022. Just days later, there was a large gathering for the unveiling of Friday night lights at Alexandria City High School, followed the next day by an art festival in Carlyle and Irish festival at Waterfront Park in Old Town. Residents are encouraged to wear face masks at the events, although it is not required.
