Updated at 3:55 p.m. The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is signing up high-risk residents to get the monkeypox vaccine.

As of July 25, the number of cases in Virginia reached 72. There are 54 cases in the Northern Virginia region, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

“Alexandria Health Department is working with state and regional partners to be able to provide vaccines to high-risk individuals. Information will be made available as soon as possible on who is eligible and how to sign up for vaccine,” AHD said. “AHD is also coordinating with local healthcare providers and with the VDH on local testing availability, care for MPV (monkeypox) cases, and provider education and preparedness.”

AHD will not disclose whether there are cases in Alexandria.

“At the moment, VDH is reporting regionally until the case numbers are large enough that confidentiality cannot be compromised,” AHD Director David Rose told ALXnow. “If/Once that happens in the Northern Region, individual district cases, including Alexandria’s, will be reported publicly.”

Anyone can get the monkeypox virus, a rash illness likened to a milder form of smallpox, and most of the reported cases involve gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM).

“This group, particularly MSM with multiple sex partners, is currently at greatest risk,” VDH said. “The risk to the general public is considered low at this time.”

People can get infected with monkeypox by getting into close contact (hugging, kissing, sharing clothes, having sex) with someone who is infected. Infected people may see lesions, like pimples or blisters on the faces, in their mouths, their hands, feet and genitals. Symptoms also include fever, headache, muscle aches/backache, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion and chills.

The illness can last up to a month.

Vaccine eligibility

Alexandria is vaccinating only Virginia residents. Only adults 18 and older can get the vaccine if, in the last 14 days are:

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple (e.g. more than 1) or anonymous sexual partners; OR
• Transgender women and nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men and have had multiple (e.g. more than 1) or anonymous sexual partners; OR
• Sex workers (of any sexual orientation or gender); OR
• Staff (of any sexual orientation or gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g. bathhouses, sex clubs); OR
• Persons who attend sex-on-premises venues (e.g. bathhouses, sex clubs)

Eligible residents can fill out this vaccine eligibility form to get a vaccine.

“If you are eligible, and there is sufficient vaccine supply, Alexandria Health Department will contact you via email, text message, or phone call when vaccine appointments are available,” AHD says on the form. “Once you submit this form you will get a confirmation email that we have received your information. You do not need to fill out this form more than once.”

AHD advises the following to decrease your chances of getting and spreading monkeypox:

• Always talk with your sexual partner(s) about any recent illness, and especially any new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus
• If anyone has a new or unexpected rash or sore, do not have sex or close physical contact
• Wash hands, sex toys and bedding every time before and after sex or other intimate activities
• When making plans, consider the level of risk. Going to clubs, raves, saunas, sex parties, and other places with skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact with many people increases the risk of exposure

Photo via VDH

Covid rates have increased during Alexandria’s midsummer.

As of Monday (July 25), there are 38,779 reported cases, an increase of 605 cases since this time last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The seven-day average of new cases is now 86.4, up from 77.1, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is now 22.3%, up from 19.2%.

There have been 195 deaths, according to VDH.

The city currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far this month, there have been 1,917 new cases reported. January saw the most new cases with 12,822 reported, followed by 2,900 cases in May, 2,357 cases in June, 1,488 cases in April, 1,227 cases in February and 593 cases in March.

The Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on June 21, to announce the availability of vaccine shots for kids older than six months of age.

Vaccine Update

• There are 24,578 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
• About 77% of residents (120,381 people) are fully vaccinated
• 84% (132,873 people) of residents got at least one dose
• 61,950 residents got their first booster shot
• 11,827 residents got their second booster shot

This month, VDH reported the following new cases in Alexandria:

• 75 new cases on July 25
• 55 new cases on July 24
• 94 new cases on July 23
• 86 new cases on July 22
• 92 new cases on July 21
• 112 new cases on July 20
• 91 new cases on July 19
• 24 new cases on July 18
• 98 new cases on July 17
• 97 new cases on July 16
• 80 new cases on July 15
• 99 new cases on July 14
• 65 new cases on July 13
• 77 new cases on July 12
• 45 new cases on July 11
• 72 new cases on July 10
• 64 new cases on July 9
• 90 new cases on July 8
• 106 new cases on July 7
• 58 new cases on July 6
• 61 new cases on July 5
• 70 new cases on July 4
• 66 new cases on July 3
• 63 new cases on July 2
• 77 new cases on July 1

Another Alexandria resident has died from Covid, and cases continue to steadily increase.

As of Monday (July 18), there are 38,174 reported cases, an increase of 540 cases since this time last week. The seven-day average of new cases is now 77.1, up from 70.9, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is now 19.2%, up from 17.4%.

There have been 196 deaths.

So far this month, there have been 1,312 new cases reported. January saw the most new cases with 12,822 reported, followed by 2,900 cases in May, 2,357 cases in June, 1,488 cases in April, 1,227 cases in February and 593 cases in March.

The city currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on June 21, to announce the availability of vaccine shots for kids older than six months of age.

Vaccine Update

• There are 24,942 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
• About 76% of residents (120,124 people) are fully vaccinated
• 84% (132,509 people) of residents got at least one dose
• 62,447 residents got booster shots

This month, VDH reported the following new cases in Alexandria:

• 24 new cases on July 18
• 98 new cases on July 17
• 97 new cases on July 16
• 80 new cases on July 15
• 99 new cases on July 14
• 65 new cases on July 13
• 77 new cases on July 12
• 45 new cases on July 11
• 72 new cases on July 10
• 64 new cases on July 9
• 90 new cases on July 8
• 106 new cases on July 7
• 58 new cases on July 6
• 61 new cases on July 5
• 70 new cases on July 4
• 66 new cases on July 3
• 63 new cases on July 2
• 77 new cases on July 1

The state of emergency might be over, but the pandemic remains in Alexandria.

Following a two week blackout period, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting four more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 195.

The CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) did not return death certificates for “coding purposes” for two weeks — starting June 6.

“For a few weeks after the blackout period, you should expect to see a higher number of COVID-19-associated deaths added to the dashboards and data sets,” the Virginia Department of Health said. “This is because NCHS will be sending back newly-coded and re-coded death certificates to VDH that were put on hold during the blackout period.

As of Monday (July 11), there are 37,634 reported cases, and the seven-day average of new cases is steady at 70.9 — the same number it was on June 20.

There have been 772 new cases reported in the first 11 days of July alone, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is 17.4%.

January saw the most new cases with 12,822 reported, followed by 2,900 cases in May, 2,357 cases in June, 1,488 cases in April, 1,227 cases in February and 593 cases in March.

The city currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on June 21, to announce the availability of vaccine shots for kids older than six months of age.

Alexandria’s two-and-a-half-year-long state of emergency expired on June 30.

Vaccine Update

• There are 21,733 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
• About 78% of residents (120,032 people) are fully vaccinated
• 86% (132,147 people) of residents got at least one dose
• 63,414 residents got booster shots

This month, VDH reported the following new cases in Alexandria:

• 45 new cases on July 11
• 72 new cases on July 10
• 64 new cases on July 9
• 90 new cases on July 8
• 106 new cases on July 7
• 58 new cases on July 6
• 61 new cases on July 5
• 70 new cases on July 4
• 66 new cases on July 3
• 63 new cases on July 2
• 77 new cases on July 1

Alexandria health providers are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children under five years of age, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

According to AHD:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for this age group and accepted the recommendation of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which met on June 17 and 18 to review administration and safety data for the vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the vaccines’ Emergency Use Authorization last week to include doses and vaccine schedules for children between six months and five years of age. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is for ages six months – four years and is three doses, with three weeks between the first and second dose, and eight weeks between the second and third dose. The Moderna vaccine is for ages six months – five years and is two doses separated by four weeks.

Parents and guardians in Alexandria have multiple locations to choose from when getting their youngest vaccinated, including AHD vaccine clinics, pharmacies (for ages three and up), and pediatricians’ offices. Minors are not able to consent to immunizations, so a parent or guardian must consent either in advance or at the vaccination site, depending on the provider. Vaccine appointments for this age group at AHD clinics will be posted on a rolling basis, and parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their children’s healthcare provider/pediatrician to see if their office is providing COVID-19 vaccines for this group.

Appointments are required at this time.

In the meantime, two more residents have died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 191. The number of reported cases has reached 36,369, and the seven-day rate for new cases is 68.7, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Last month, AHD announced the availability of booster shots for kids ages five to 11.

Vaccinated in Alexandria

• About 78% of residents (119,667 people) are fully vaccinated
• 86% (131,739 people) of residents got at least one dose
• 65,283 residents got booster shots
• There are 22,141 unvaccinated Alexandria residents

Alexandria’s two-and-a-half-year-long state of emergency will expire on June 30..

New cases of Covid have fallen by 40% since last month in Alexandria, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

As of Monday, June 20, there are 36,134 cases reported in Alexandria. The seven-day average of new cases is 70.9 — down from 85.3 at this point last week, and down from 119.4 a month ago.

The number of deaths remains unchanged at 189, and the seven-day positivity rate for Covid tests is now 70.9%, up from 16.4% last week.

There have been 1,629 cases reported so far in Alexandria in June, and the city currently has a Medium community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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 Alexandria Health Department’s last update was on May 20, to announce the availability of booster shots for kids ages five to 11.

Alexandria’s two-and-a-half-year-long state of emergency will expire on June 30..

VDH reported the following new cases this month in Alexandria:

• 50 new cases on June 20
• 60 new cases on June 19
• 61 new cases on June 18
• 75 new cases on June 17
• 70 new cases on June 16
• 82 new cases on June 15
• 98 new cases on June 14
• 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 22,141 unvaccinated Alexandria residents
• About 78% of residents (119,667 people) are fully vaccinated
• 86% (131,739 people) of residents got at least one dose
• 65,283 residents got booster shots

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