As the city prepares for the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, Alexandria’s COVID-19 infections have continued a steady decline through the holidays.
The upcoming annual festivities were put on hold last year, and it usually bring thousands of visitors to Alexandria.
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.”
Old Town Books to open ‘Juniors’ pop-up shop — “Old Town Books is opening a winter pop-up shop called Old Town Books Juniors this month.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Public invited to help lay wreaths at Alexandria National Cemetery Dec. 18 — “On Saturday, Dec. 18 — the same day as the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery — there is another gathering planned for Alexandria National Cemetery.” [Zebra]
Alexandria is one of several localities around Virginia selected for a Virginia Department of Health (VDH) program that will be distributing free COVID testing kits from the local libraries.
Alexandria libraries could, this week, begin distributing COVID-19 testing kits, the VDH said in a press release.
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.”
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.
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.
(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.
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.”
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.
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.
