Health Department | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published October 1, 2021 at 5:00AM

Jones Point Park along the Potomac River and below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Board members who backed sale of River Farm resign — “Five board members of the American Horticultural Society (AHS) who backed the sale of historic River Farm, including its chair, have resigned, the organization said Thursday. Their departure from the evenly split governing body leaves only members who have opposed selling the Potomac River property that once formed part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” [Washington Post]

Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Festival is on Sunday — “One week to go until the Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Festival! Join us next Sunday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the spacious Oronoco Bay Park for this free event with something for everyone — including well-behaved, leashed pets! Enjoy amazing performances, meet adoptable animals, visit fantastic vendors or grab a drink in the Port City beer garden!” [Facebook]

News

Alexandria starts distributing COVID-19 booster shots

By James Cullum

Published September 27, 2021 at 1:00PM

The Alexandria Health Department, over the weekend, started distributing Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots.

While the boosters for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are yet to be approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the city is also recommending that residents also get a flu shot at the same time.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria seeks input on phase II revision of noise ordinance — “On May 15, the Alexandria City Council adopted phase I technical revisions of the City’s noise ordinance. The City is now seeking public input on a phase II revision that would address policy issues associated with land use, noise levels and changes with noise sources. The objective is to finalize this revision for Council consideration by the end of 2021.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria author writes book on 19th century Scottish migrant — “First-time author Ellen Hamilton has spent years working on the story of William Gregory, who settled here in Alexandria in 1807. Now, her first book, ‘A Scottish Migration to Alexandria’, is going into print.” [Alexandria Living]

News

Public events still happening in Alexandria, and transmission rate has been high for more than a month

By James Cullum

Published September 21, 2021 at 1:15PM

For more than a month, Alexandria has experienced high COVID-19 transmission levels, but that isn’t stopping public events from happening.

Last week, the City Council unanimously voted to extend the state of emergency until January 31, 2022. Just days later, there was a large gathering for the unveiling of Friday night lights at Alexandria City High School, followed the next day by an art festival in Carlyle and Irish festival at Waterfront Park in Old Town. Residents are encouraged to wear face masks at the events, although it is not required.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 15, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria City Hall lit up (staff photo by James Cullum)

City phones undergoing maintenance this afternoon — “FYI: Most City government phone numbers will be unavailable 3-6pm on Wednesday, Sep 15 due to system maintenance. Emergency 9-1-1 and police non-emergency numbers will be unaffected. 311 and 703-746-4311 numbers will be unaffected.” [Twitter]

Police looking for man missing since August 28 — “Abdulkarim Godah, 36, was last seen at his home in the 300 block of Yoakum Parkway. He is described as 5 foot 10 and 150 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.” [Patch]

News

Alexandria City Council to likely extend state of emergency to next year

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 3:30PM

The Alexandria City Council, on Tuesday, will likely extend its local emergency declaration until January 31, 2022.

The declaration, which was first approved by Council in March 2020, has been continually updated every six months, and finds that “the emergency continues to exist and will exist into the future.”

News

COVID-19 Update: Alexandria ties with Arlington for lowest seven-day positivity rate in Virginia

By James Cullum

Published September 7, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria’s seven-day average of positive COVID-19 tests is now the lowest in Virginia.

The percentage was 3.1%, as of Tuesday, September 7, even though the city is experiencing a high level of transmission for the third straight week, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

News

Labor Day openings and closures in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2021 at 2:15PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

This coming Monday, September 6, is Labor Day and a number of city government offices and facilities will be closed.

The biggest event of the three-day weekend will be the day before Labor Day — Sunday, September 5. The annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style will bring crowds to marvel at classic and beautiful rides along King Street.

News

Alexandria sees cases rise in August and warns of COVID-19 in schools

By James Cullum

Published August 31, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated August 31, 2021 at 11:42AM

With COVID-19 numbers sharply rising in Alexandria, the city is advising parents to expect cases at schools and daycares.

So far this month, 14 cases have been reported in Alexandria City Public Schools.

News

Alexandria sees huge spike in COVID-19 cases in August, another death

By James Cullum

Published August 24, 2021 at 3:30PM

There has been a 155% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Alexandria this month versus July, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

As of August 24, there have been 521 new cases reported this month, a sharp uptick from the 204 new cases reported in July, which was a 343% increase over the 43 new cases in June. There has also been another death — the first since July 13 — and the death toll from the virus now stands at 142.

News

With high transmission levels, Alexandria says third COVID vaccine dose is available for severely immunocompromised residents

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2021 at 10:45AM

Alexandria’s COVID transmission levels have been upped from “substantial” to “high”, and the city’s Health Department is recommending that severely immunocompromised residents get a third vaccine shot.

Alexandria now has 12,490 cases of COVID-19 reported since the first case in March 2020. That’s an increase of 40 reported cases since Monday.