Health Department | ALXnow

Traveling? Get tested before and after Thanksgiving, says Alexandria Health Department

Published November 24, 2021 at 2:15PM

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to take COVID-19 tests before and after traveling this Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“Everyone has a role in keeping COVID-19 out of holiday gatherings,” AHD said in a release, and advised unvaccinated residents to skip traveling altogether. “If travel is unavoidable, get a COVID-19 test 1-3 days before and 3-5 days after travel. Those who are fully vaccinated should still monitor themselves for symptoms after travel or large gatherings and get tested if needed.”

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Alexandria now offering COVID-19 boosters for everyone over 18

By Vernon Miles

Published November 23, 2021 at 3:40PM

Healthcare providers, pharmacies and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) are now offering COVID-19 booster shots to all residents over 18 years old, the city said in a press release.

the press release notes that those receiving a booster shot can use either the Moderna or Pfizer booster, regardless of which vaccine they took.

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With appointment system overload, City asks for patience making vaccine appointments for kids

By James Cullum

Published November 8, 2021 at 10:45AM

Students return to George Washington Middle School, August 24, 2021 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Alexandria Health Department is asking for patience as Virginia’s vaccine scheduling system is backed up with demand.

“The City is aware that the state’s vaccine scheduling system may be overloaded with demand and service may be intermittent,” AHD said in a release. “Please be patient and continue checking back to schedule an appointment.”

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Alexandria Health Department working to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for kids ages 5-11, new director says

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated November 3, 2021 at 4:23PM

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) The Alexandria Health Department is working community partners to begin scheduling coronavirus vaccine appointments for kids ages 5-11 by this week, according to its newly hired Director, Dr. David C. Rose.

“We’re in the process of making sure that we and our partners within the community — the pharmacies, the providers — everyone has what it is they need,” Rose told ALXnow in a recent interview. “We’re going to be making sure that appointments are available on a rolling basis when supply becomes available.”

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Alexandria preps COVID-19 vaccine availability for kids aged 5-11

By James Cullum

Published November 1, 2021 at 10:55AM

Kids playing near Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is planning on expanding vaccine availability to children ages 5-11, while waiting on the go-ahead from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week approved the emergency authorization of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11.

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Alexandria transmission rate reduced from ‘High’ to ‘Substantial’

By James Cullum

Published October 25, 2021 at 10:45AM

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.

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Trick-or-treating returns to Alexandria, Health Department still advises caution

By Rick Horner

Published October 22, 2021 at 2:45PM

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.

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Alexandria surpasses 14,000 cases of COVID-19, numbers of unvaccinated sick kids ‘unexpectedly’ high

By James Cullum

Published October 18, 2021 at 10:55AM | Updated October 19, 2021 at 4:25PM

Kids playing near Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

(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.

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Alexandria is providing free transport for seniors to get COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots

By James Cullum

Published October 12, 2021 at 10:50AM

Ladrey resident received his second vaccine shot on Saturday, February 20, at a vaccination POD (point of dispensing) event at the high-rise’s community room. (Photo via ARHA)

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.”

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Four more COVID-related deaths in Alexandria, City preps vaccine rollout for kids under 12

By James Cullum

Published October 5, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated October 5, 2021 at 6:50PM

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.

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JUST IN: Alexandria sets October 25 deadline for employees to get COVID-19 vaccine

By James Cullum

Published October 5, 2021 at 10:00AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

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.