coronavirus | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 29, 2020 at 9:21AM

Sen. Kaine and Wife Anne Holton Test Positive for Coronavirus Antibodies — “After testing positive for the flu earlier in the year, the state’s junior senator said in a statement he experienced new symptoms in late March. He initially thought the symptoms were flu remnants and a reaction to a high pollen count. But when his wife developed fever and chills, then congestion and a cough, they went to health providers in early April.” [Patch]

Police Chase Ends With Suspect Falling 25 Feet Off Beltway — “A man behind the wheel of what Virginia State Police thought was a stolen Ford Expedition rammed two police vehicles on the Capital Beltway, lost control, slammed into a Jersey Wall and then ran across the interstate, jumped over another wall and fell 25 feet Wednesday night.” [WTOP]

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Letter To The Editor: Making Light of the New Normal in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2020 at 5:45PM

The following Letter to the Editor was written by Alexandria City Councilman John Taylor Chapman, who also owns Manumission Tour Company.

As we progress through this quarantine, like many business owners, I was forced to figure out how to keep my business from permanently closing. Like many of the tourism industry, we have seen one of the best times of the year for our business become a time of great uncertainty.

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With DMV Appointments Backed Up, Governor Northam Extends Deadline for Driver’s License Renewals

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated June 1, 2020 at 10:23AM

As Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles offices undergo phased reopenings, Governor Ralph Northam on Thursday announced an extension for residents who need to get renewals for identification cards and driver’s licenses.

Northam said that the licenses and IDs that need to be renewed before July 31 can be renewed by August 31.

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Animal Welfare League’s Community Pet Pantry Offers Animal Supplies to Those in Need

By Vernon Miles

Published May 28, 2020 at 11:30AM

While many Alexandrians are struggling to figure out how to provide for themselves during the pandemic, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is taking the strain off some local pet owners trying to take care of their animals.

Since mid-March, the local animal shelter has donated 5,000 pounds of supplies to a Community Pet Pantry. The AWLA said the pantry is also stocked with donations from animal-loving Northern Virginia residents offering food, bed, toys and more.

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Two Alexandria Women Die of COVID-19, Cases now at 1,887

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2020 at 10:45AM | Updated May 29, 2020 at 10:07AM

Waterfront Park under COVID-19. (Photo by Billy Sabatini)

Two Alexandria women are the latest fatalities of COVID-19 in Alexandria, as the number of cases jumped to 1,887, an increase of 63 reported cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There are now 44 deaths in the city related to the virus, and the most recent victims were two Alexandria women, one in her 80s and the other in her 60s. Today is the third straight day that deaths associated with the virus have been announced in the city.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 28, 2020 at 9:00AM

Developer Gets Financing to Build Apartments in West End — “Monday Properties announced Tuesday it secured a $66.8M construction loan from EagleBank and broke ground on the development at 2000 North Beauregard St. The project is planned to include 300 units in six to seven stories of wood-frame construction atop a two-level concrete podium. The apartments will be wrapped around an internal, 420-space parking garage.” [Bisnow]

Inova to Build Hospital, Considers Alexandria Campus Modernization — “The health system is also looking at options for ways to modernize the current Inova Alexandria Hospital — and noted that ‘all options, from renovating in place to relocation, are under evaluation. Additional information will be made available as this project develops.'” [Alexandria Living]

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Alexandrian Writes Book for Kids to Cope With Coronavirus

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2020 at 5:15PM | Updated May 27, 2020 at 5:40PM

Like many Alexandrians, Gina Flynn has been stuck at home because of the pandemic, and she hasn’t spent time with Amir, her three-year-old grandson living in Philadelphia. She decided to write him a kids’ book called The Imaginary Castle on staying safe at home, coping with the absence of friends and the importance of developing young imaginations.

“He’s an only child and he’s lonely,” Flynn told ALXnow. “A lot of times we don’t think that young kids really understand what’s going on, but they do know something is happening. I think it’s our duty to talk to them and try to explain things.”

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Poll: Will You Follow Gov. Northam’s Mask Mandate?

By Vernon Miles

Published May 27, 2020 at 3:20PM

Gov. Ralph Northam announced yesterday that the delayed reopening of Northern Virginia will start on Friday (May 29), but with that came a mandatory mask order for anyone in public places.

“Everyone will need to wear a face cover when you’re inside at a public place starting this Friday,” Northam said at his weekly coronavirus press conference. “That’s at a store, a barbershop, a restaurant, on public transportation, at a government building or anywhere where people can congregate in groups.”

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City Council Braces for Playground Fight With Community

By Vernon Miles

Published May 27, 2020 at 2:15PM

With Alexandria health officials expecting the total number of COVID-19 cases to go up during Phase 1 of reopening, the City Council discussed the line between what coronavirus restrictions can be put in place and what can be enforced — particularly when it comes to playgrounds.

During a City Council discussion last night (Tuesday), James Spengler, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, said city playgrounds could not open until Phase 3 of the reopening, which could be in the fall.

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Alexandria Man in His 50s Dies of COVID-19, Cases Rise to 1,824

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2020 at 11:30AM

An Alexandria man in his 50s has died of COVID-19, and there are now 1,824 cases in the city, an increase of 49 new cases since yesterday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There are now 42 deaths in the city related to the virus, and the most recent victims were two Alexandria men and a woman. The number of known cases is expected to rise in the city, as 3,000 tests were administered at Cora Kelly School and Landmark Mall on Monday.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 27, 2020 at 11:42AM

‘Good. Works. Alexandria’ Giving Event is Today — “Alexandria’s stores and restaurants will give a percentage of their sales to the charities of the customers’ choice. For every lunch or dinner ordered OR purchase made, we will share those profits with clientele’s charity of choice located on the Spring2ACTion website.” [Old Town Business Association]

Here’s What Services Will Open Under Phase 1 — “As the region proceeds through the reopening phases the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA has released the schedule of how recreation services, facilities and programs will be restored.” [Facebook]