Health Department | ALXnow

Update: One new death, 137 new Covid cases since last week in Alexandria

Published March 21, 2022 at 3:30PM

There has been another death and 137 new cases of the virus in Alexandria over the last week, bringing the total number of deaths to 185 and the number of cases to 29,946, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Still, the pandemic is winding down in Alexandria. One of the biggest signs is the fact that it’s been nearly two weeks since the Alexandria Health Department last posted a COVID-19 update. The city last released Covid information on March 8 — a stark difference from nearly two years of daily updates from the city, and a surge in January that saw a record-setting 12,822 positive cases.

News

Update: Just 75 cases of COVID-19 reported in Alexandria since last week

By James Cullum

Published March 14, 2022 at 2:15PM

Dining in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There were just 75 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Alexandria since this time last week, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

There are now 29,809 reported cases of the virus in Alexandria, up from 29,734 last Monday. The number of deaths remains at 184, and the seven day average of daily new cases is now 21, down from 84.5 this time last week.

News

After two years of COVID-19, the pandemic is winding down in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published March 11, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated March 14, 2022 at 11:57AM

Walking on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Nicole Burlimann now has a completely different life. Exactly two years ago, she was the food and beverage manager at the Hilton Garden Inn — facing a busy spring full of events. Then COVID hit, her position was terminated and she collected unemployment for months while watching and waiting for restrictions to be lifted and normalcy to resume.

After four months, Burlimann started working part-time at Piece Out Del Ray (2419 Mount Vernon Avenue) when it opened in the summer of 2020. The restaurant is owned by the Ponzi family, and they later promoted Burlimann as general manager at their St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub and Market 2 Market locations in Del Ray.

News

Wearing face masks now optional in Alexandria government buildings

By James Cullum

Published March 7, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated March 9, 2022 at 12:47PM

Security guard Destin Davis waves at City Hall at 301 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Wearing face masks in government buildings is now optional in Alexandria, as nearly two years of the pandemic restriction winds to a close.

The decision, which was announced on March 1, comes after new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave Alexandria and its neighboring jurisdictions a “Low” community level of transmission.

News

Nearly two years into pandemic, Alexandria Mayor says it’s time to turn corner against COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2022 at 10:45AM

After nearly two years of the pandemic in Alexandria, Mayor Justin Wilson says it is now time to turn the corner against COVID-19.

In his monthly newsletter, Wilson wrote that more than 80% of city residents have been vaccinated, more than a third have gotten booster shots and anyone can get a vaccine who wants one.

News

Alexandria and neighboring jurisdictions now experiencing ‘Low’ transmission rate, says CDC

By James Cullum

Published February 28, 2022 at 1:00PM

Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington now have low Covid transmission levels, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s last update on community levels was on Feb. 25. The Virginia Department of Health still lists the city’s transmission rate as high, although the categorization has not been updated since Feb. 19. Alexandria has experienced high transmission since December.

News

Alexandria sees lowest number of new daily Covid cases in three months

By James Cullum

Published February 22, 2022 at 3:30PM

The rapid decline in Covid cases continues in Alexandria, but the transmission level remains high, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There were 14 were cases of COVID-19 reported in the city today, according to VDH. That’s the lowest number of new daily cases since November 29, 2021, when 13 cases were reported.

News

Stuffy? Alexandria Health Department offering $100 to participate in air quality study

By James Cullum

Published February 17, 2022 at 3:30PM

Southern Towers residents wait for the bus. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Staying home is a good defense against Covid, but what if your home is full of mold? The Alexandria Health Department is recruiting 50 city residents with respiratory issues to participate in a free air quality pilot study, and is offering them $100 in gift cards.

The Alexandria Air Cleaning Evaluation for Healthier Homes pilot is based on the premise that many residents in underserved areas live in conditions that “actively harm their well-being.”

News

Alexandria sees dip in Covid numbers despite reporting ‘inaccuracy’ by Virginia Department of Health

By James Cullum

Published February 14, 2022 at 1:00PM

Regardless of a reporting inaccuracy by the Virginia Department of Health, Alexandria’s Covid numbers are still going down.

VDH identified 220 cases that were “inaccurately auto-generated duplicated in the case reporting system,” which is why there were 19 cases reported on Feb. 6, 20 cases on Feb. 7 and 43 cases on Feb. 8 — all sharp contrasts to the hundreds of daily cases being reported the previous week. Additionally, three deaths from January were also added to the city’s death toll, which now stands at 176.

News

COVID-19 numbers go down for fourth straight week in Alexandria, free N95 masks at local pharmacies

By James Cullum

Published February 7, 2022 at 9:45AM

Covid cases continue to recede in Alexandria for the fourth straight week, and local pharmacies are now giving out free adult N95 face masks as part of a new federal program.

There were also seven news deaths reported since this time last week, bringing the death toll from the virus to 172.

News

Omicron surge receding for third straight week in Alexandria, city advises mask vigilance

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2022 at 11:00AM

The number of positive Covid cases continues to go down in Alexandria, as officials say that the latest wave of Omicron cases will recede within a month.

While cases have gone down for the third straight week, numbers are still historically high.