June is tracking to be one of the worst months this year for new Covid cases in Alexandria.
As of Monday (June 13), reported cases reached 35,638 — with 597 new cases since this time last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
There were 1,133 new cases reported in the first 13 days in June.
January saw the most new cases, with 12,822 reported, followed by 2,900 cases in May, 1,488 cases in April, 1,227 cases in February and 593 cases in March.
The death toll remains at 189. The seven-day average of new cases is 85.3, breaking a three-week downward streak. The seven-day average last week was 83.9, and a month ago it reached 199.4.
The number of deaths remains at 189, although for two weeks starting June 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics has not updated its list of fatalities for “coding purposes,” according to VDH.
The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests dropped modestly to 16.4%, down from is 17% last week.
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 1,221 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 1,032 are children and 209 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
Alexandria currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the numbers, the City Council will allow the two-and-a-half-year-long state of emergency to expire on June 30.
The Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on May 20, to announce the availability of booster shots for kids ages five to 11.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 77 new cases on June 13
- 78 new cases on June 12
- 90 new cases on June 11
- 91 new cases on June 10
- 82 new cases on June 9
- 108 new cases on June 8
- 71 new cases on June 7
- 70 new cases on June 6
- 87 new cases on June 5
- 85 new cases on June 4
- 93 new cases on June 3
- 138 new cases on June 2
- 63 new cases on June 1
Vaccine Update
- There are 22,198 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 78% of residents (119,606 people) are fully vaccinated
- 86% (131,682 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 65,101 residents got booster shots
As COVID numbers continue to rise, the Alexandria City Council will allow the city’s state of emergency to expire on June 30.
The declaration was made by Council in March 2020, and has been extended five times.
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson says there is no need for another extension.
“But we will be allowing the emergency declaration to expire as there is no need to continue the authority that it enables any further,” Wilson told ALXnow. “(T)he need for an emergency declaration to address the impacts of the pandemic will be past us.”
The Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on May 20, to announce the availability of booster shots for kids ages five to 11.
Case update
Today (June 6), Alexandria surpassed 35,000 cases of COVID-19. The official number is 35,041, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The death toll remains at 189.
The seven-day average of new cases is 83.9 — down for the third straight week. Three weeks ago, the seven day-average for new cases reached 199.4.
The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 17%, up from 16.6% last week.
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 1,191 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 1,005 are children and 206 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
So far, there have been 536 new cases reported in the first six days in June, and the month is already assured to at least be the third-worst month of the year for new cases.
January was the worst month of 2022, with 12,822 reported, followed by a steep drop to 1,227 cases in February. There were only 593 cases reported in March, and 1,488 new cases in April. Alexandria currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 70 new cases on June 6
- 87 new cases on June 5
- 85 new cases on June 4
- 93 new cases on June 3
- 138 new cases on June 2
- 63 new cases on June 1
Vaccine Update
- There are 22,345 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 78% of residents (119,447 people) are fully vaccinated
- 86% (131,535 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 64,854 residents got booster shots
May has been the second worst month for new Covid cases this year, with 2,900 cases reported. That’s a 94% increase over the 1,488 cases reported last month.
As of Tuesday (May 31), the total number of reported cases reached 34,505, with 189 deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health. That’s an increase of 741 cases since this time last week, with the seven-day average of new cases now at 105.9, down from 199.4 last week, but still higher than the 78.6 at the beginning of the month.
The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 16.6%, up from 15.2% last week and 12.4% as reported in the first days of May.
January was the worst month of 2022, with 12,822 reported, followed by a steep drop to 1,227 cases in February. There were only 593 cases reported in March, and 1,488 new cases in April. Alexandria currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccine update
The Alexandria Health Department now offers vaccine boosters for children ages 5 to 11 at least five months after their last dose.
- There are 22,508 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 78% of residents (119,280 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (131,372 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 63,779 residents got booster shots
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 1,140 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 965 are children and 195 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 51 new cases on May 31
- 146 new cases on May 30
- No cases reported on May 29
- 93 new cases on May 28
- 111 reported on May 27
- 135 new cases on May 26
- 111 new cases on May 25
- 94 new cases on May 24
- 90 new cases on May 23
- 106 new cases on May 22
- 112 new cases on May 21
- 137 new cases on May 20
- 167 new cases on May 19
- 132 new cases on May 18
- 92 new cases on May 17
- 63 new cases on May 16
- 106 new cases on May 15
- 112 new cases on May 14
- 119 new cases on May 13
- 133 new cases on May 12
- 85 new cases on May 11
- 73 new cases on May 10
- 61 new cases on May 9
- 62 new cases on May 8
- 113 new cases on May 7
- 79 new cases on May 6
- 82 new cases on May 5
- 106 new cases on May 4
- 47 new cases on May 3
- 46 new cases on May 2
- 36 new cases on May 1
As of Monday (May 23), two more residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 190. The number of cases has climbed to 33,764, an increase of 836 cases since this time last week.
The seven-day average of cases is now 119.4, up from 98.7 last week and 78.6 at the beginning of the month. The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 15.2%, up from 14.7% last week and 12.4% as reported in the first days of May.
May is now the second worst month of the year for new Covid cases, with 2,159 cases reported. January saw the most-ever cases with 12,822 reported, followed by a steep drop to 1,227 cases in February. There were only 593 cases reported in March, and 1,488 new cases in April.
While the number of Covid infections escalates, Alexandria residents should protect themselves by wearing face masks and staying up to date on their vaccinations. Those are among the recommendations that the Alexandria Health Department is now making, in addition to staying home, and staying in well-ventilated areas.
“The City of Alexandria, and Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties have all experienced increased COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, placing the entire region in the CDC’s medium COVID-19 community level,” AHD said in a release. “Everyone should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if they have symptoms, improve ventilation in indoor spaces, and follow guidelines for isolation or quarantine if sick or exposed. Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time.”
The CDC also recommends that travelers should get tested no more than three days before their departure and arrival dates.
Vaccine update
The Alexandria Health Department now offers vaccine boosters for children ages 5 to 11 at least five months after their last dose.
- There are 22,698 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 77% of residents (119,084 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (131,182 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 63,779 residents got booster shots
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 1,065 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 906 are children and 178 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 90 new cases on May 23
- 106 new cases on May 22
- 112 new cases on May 21
- 137 new cases on May 20
- 167 new cases on May 19
- 132 new cases on May 18
- 92 new cases on May 17
- 63 new cases on May 16
- 106 new cases on May 15
- 112 new cases on May 14
- 119 new cases on May 13
- 133 new cases on May 12
- 85 new cases on May 11
- 73 new cases on May 10
- 61 new cases on May 9
- 62 new cases on May 8
- 113 new cases on May 7
- 79 new cases on May 6
- 82 new cases on May 5
- 106 new cases on May 4
- 47 new cases on May 3
- 46 new cases on May 2
- 36 new cases on May 1
Covid levels continue to rise in Alexandria.
As of Monday (May 16), the number of cases climbed to 32,928, an increase of 691 cases since this time last week.
The seven-day average of cases is 98.7, up from 78.6 last week, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 14.7%, up from 12.4%. Deaths from the virus remain at 188.
May is tracking to be the second worst month of the year for infections, with 1,323 cases reported.
January saw the most-ever cases with 12,822 reported, followed by a steep drop to 1,227 cases in February. There were only 593 cases reported in March, and during that month City Council loosened its mask and distancing requirements after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved the City’s community level from High to Low. The CDC downgraded the city’s community level to Medium in April, which saw 1,488 new cases reported.
The Alexandria Health Department’s last Covid update was published on May 5.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 63 new cases on May 16
- 106 new cases on May 15
- 112 new cases on May 14
- 119 new cases on May 13
- 133 new cases on May 12
- 85 new cases on May 11
- 73 new cases on May 10
- 61 new cases on May 9
- 62 new cases on May 8
- 113 new cases on May 7
- 79 new cases on May 6
- 82 new cases on May 5
- 106 new cases on May 4
- 47 new cases on May 3
- 46 new cases on May 2
- 36 new cases on May 1
Vaccine stats
- There are 22,871 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 77% of residents (118,898 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (131,009 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 63,309 residents got booster shots
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 941 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 803 are children and 157 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
While City Council usually has the final say over big decisions, much of the city’s future starts taking shape in Alexandria’s boards and commissions. After two years of those meetings going online and recorded for public viewing, many of them are starting to go offline again.
The Waterfront Commission, for example, has been where many of the details about flooding in Old Town have been hashed out. The 7:30 a.m. meetings have historically had fairly light public attendance. With the start of the pandemic those meetings were recorded and published online until last month, when the group stopped recording meetings.
City leaders have repeatedly called expanded public participation in meetings one of the few good things to emerge from the pandemic — along with to-go cocktails. At AlexTV, those curious about city policies can view a backlog of everything from Transportation Commission meetings to meetings of the Sister Cities Committee, but over the next few months that selection will start to slim down.
Alexandria communications officer Andrea Blackford said the authority for full virtual meetings was an emergency authority that will go away with the expiration of the City’s declaration of emergency at the end of June. That change doesn’t prevent the city from recording and publishing footage of meetings, but Blackford said it’s a question of staff resources.
“The FOIA open meetings rules allow for limited electronic participation by members of public bodies and do allow for unlimited participation electronically by staff or the public,” Blackford said. “However, the actual meeting of the public body has to be in person with a quorum of members in the room. Virtual participation by the public while the public body is meeting in person, known as a hybrid meeting, is much more resource intensive to conduct than a fully virtual meeting, due to the technology requirements for a hybrid meeting.”
While Blackford said that while hybrid meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission will continue, the city doesn’t have the manpower to continue with hybrid meetings for other commissions.
“Therefore, some boards and commissions may need to hold in-person meetings without a virtual component because the City does not have the resources available for all boards and commissions to conduct hybrid meetings,” Blackford said. “The legal rules apply the same to all public bodies — including all boards, commissions and City Council. We have prioritized hybrid meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission as those are the meetings with the most public participation.”
May is on track to be the second worst month of the year for new cases of Covid.
As of May 9 (Monday), reported cases climbed to 32,237, an increase of 550 cases since this time last week. The seven-day average of cases is 78.6, up 68.7 last week, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 12.4%, up from 10.2%.
The number of COVID-related deaths remains at 188. There have been 632 new cases reported so far in May, which is nearly half of the cases reported in April.
This year started with Covid levels at an all-time high, with a record-setting 12,822 cases reported, followed by 1,227 cases in February. There were only 593 cases reported in March, and during that month City Council loosened its mask and distancing requirements after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved the City’s community level from High to Low.
There were 1,488 new cases reported in April, and the CDC downgraded the city’s community level to Medium.
Fake Covid tests
The Alexandria Health Department is warning the public about fake Covid tests. According to AHD:
Beware of Counterfeit COVID-19 Tests
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns the public about counterfeit at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests being distributed or used in the United States. Counterfeit tests are not authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA for distribution or use but are made to look like real, FDA-authorized tests.The reliability of unauthorized tests has not been adequately established, so the risk of false results is very high. For reliable, FDA-authorized tests, order up to four at a time for free from USPS, pick up a free test at a participating Alexandria Public Library, or find other trusted testing options at alexandriava.gov/COVIDTesting.
VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:
- 36 new cases on May 1
- 46 new cases on May 2
- 47 new cases on May 3
- 106 new cases on May 4
- 82 new cases on May 5
- 79 new cases on May 6
- 113 new cases on May 7
- 62 new cases on May 8
- 61 new cases on May 9
Vaccine stats
- There are 23,068 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 77% of residents (118,662 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (130,812 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 62,648 residents got booster shots
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 836 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 713 are children and 142 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
Alexandria has started the month of May with a high number of new cases.
As of May 2 (Monday), reported cases of Covid climbed to 31,687, an increase of 407 cases since this time last week.
Two more COVID-related deaths were also reported in Alexandria by the Virginia Department of Health, bringing the death toll from the virus to 188.
The seven-day average for new cases is 68.7, up from 54.4 last week. The seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 10.2%.
New cases were not reported by VDH on April 30 or May 1, and the number of cases reported on May 2 was 172 — the most cases reported for a single day since January.
There were 1,488 reported cases in April, which has turned out to be the second worst month for new cases this year. Also last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention downgraded Alexandria’s s community level from “Low” to “Medium”.
The April figures are a 151% increase over the 593 cases reported in March, and 20% more than the 12,227 cases reported in February.
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 756 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 646 are children and 131 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
Vaccine stats
- There are 23,236 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 77% of residents (118,441 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (130,644 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 62,378 residents got booster shots
It’s been a bad month for COVID-19 in Alexandria, as the number of new cases has eclipsed those reported in February, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
As of Sunday (April 25) there were 1,229 new cases reported this month, a 107% increase over the 593 cases reported in March. There were also 1,227 cases reported in February, which was a steep decline after a record-setting 12,822 cases in January.
Last week, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention downgraded the city’s community level from “Low” to “Medium.”
Friday (April 22), the number of reported Covid cases increased by 77 — the highest single-day number of cases since February 11, when 98 new cases were reported. There are now 31,280 cases of the virus reported since the pandemic began in March 2020, and the seven-day average of new cases is now 54.4, up from 52.3 last week.
The number of deaths remains at 186.
In Alexandria City Public Schools, there have been 718 cases reported since Dec. 1. Of those, 614 are children and 123 are staff, but the numbers on the school system’s dashboard don’t add up.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
This month, VDH reported the following new cases in Alexandria:
- 36 new cases on April 25
- 38 new cases on April 24
- 50 new cases on April 23
- 77 new cases on April 22
- 59 new cases on April 21
- 71 new cases on April 20
- 17 new cases on April 19
- 47 new cases on April 18
- 51 new cases on April 17
- 59 new cases on April 16
- 52 new cases on April 15
- 68 new cases on April 14
- 45 new cases on April 13
- 44 new cases on April 12
- 36 new cases on April 11
- 17 new cases on April 10
- 61 new cases on April 9
- 55 new cases on April 8
- 52 new cases on April 7
- 35 new cases on April 6
- 30 new cases on April 5
- 17 new cases on April 4
- 31 new cases on April 3
- 35 new cases on April 2
- 46 new cases on April 1
Vaccine stats
- There are 23,431 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
- About 77% of residents (118,250 people) are fully vaccinated
- 85% (130,449 people) of residents got at least one dose
- 61,911 residents got booster shots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has downgraded Alexandria’s Covid community level from “Low” to “Medium,” according to the Alexandria Health Department.
There were 71 new cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria reported today (Wednesday, April 20), which is the most new cases in a single day since February 11, when 98 new cases were reported, according to the Virginia Department of Health. There have been 186 deaths and 31,020 total cases of the virus reported in Alexandria.
Alexandria now joins Arlington and Falls Church with the elevated level, while Fairfax and Loudoun Counties continue to have “Low” community levels.
Mayor Justin Wilson keeps a face mask handy just in case, and continues to wear them on airplanes and trains.
“It’s certainly not a surprise to see case numbers going back up given what we have seen around the world,” Wilson told ALXnow. “Unfortunately, we know this cycle well. The good news is that we know what to do. If you are sick, you should stay home and isolate. Masks are still a good idea indoors, particularly if you are vulnerable due to medical condition or age or you come in contact with vulnerable people frequently. Residents should make sure they have access to home test kits so that they can quickly learn their condition. Vaccinations, boosters and second boosters for those eligible are widely available and encouraged.”
Earlier this month, the city issued a spring break travel warning.
Alexandria’s community level went to “Low” in February — a month that saw a steep drop in the number of new cases. There were 12,822 cases in January, 1,227 cases in February and 593 cases in March. There have been 852 cases reported so far in April, and the city is on track to exceed the number of new cases in February.
“Everyone should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if they have symptoms, improve ventilation in indoor spaces, and follow guidelines for isolation or quarantine if sick or exposed,” the Alexandria Health Department advised. “Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time. Specific settings, such as health care and congregate facilities, may require masks.”
According to AHD:
In areas with a medium community level, the CDC recommends that everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, improve ventilation in indoor spaces, and follow guidelines for isolation or quarantine if sick or exposed. Individuals who are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness, or who spend time with high risk individuals, may want to wear a mask around others.
Those individuals should also speak to their health care provider about whether they are a candidate for COVID-19 treatments if they become sick. Make a plan in advance for how you would get tested if needed. Individuals can request free tests at covidtests.gov, purchase a test at a pharmacy and submit a claim to their insurance, or pick up a free COVID-19 home test at some Alexandria Library locations. Find PCR test availability online at alexandriava.gov/COVIDtesting.
The city remains in a state of emergency until June 30.