health | ALXnow

Morning Notes

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

Salons, restaurants and other businesses for sale in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2021 at 11:00AM

Ready to buy a restaurant or salon in Alexandria?

The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of businesses for sale in and around Alexandria. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.

News

20 health experts are writing in the Del Ray Wellness District’s new blog

By James Cullum

Published September 16, 2021 at 2:15PM

The wellness-related businesses in Del Ray are bottling their creative energies into a new blog.

Every Wednesday morning, the Wellness District Blog will publish two new posts to help folks navigate through the fog of stressful times. It officially launched at a glitzy outdoor party on Wednesday night in Del Ray.

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

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.

News

Alexandria prepping COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees

By James Cullum

Published August 16, 2021 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson (center) and City Manager Mark Jinks at the annual APD wreath laying ceremony for fallen officers, May 10, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A vaccine mandate for Alexandria government employees will be ready for implementation by this fall, according to Mayor Justin Wilson.

“The policy is being finalized in place right now and should be in place in the September/October timeframe,” Wilson told ALXnow. “This will likely not come before Council as this is in the City Manager’s purview. Although he is of course keeping us up to date.”

News

ACPS is not requiring staff to get vaccinated before school starts systemwide August 24

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated August 16, 2021 at 11:58AM

As Alexandria City Public Schools plans a systemwide reopening to full-time in-person instruction on August 24, staff will not be required to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

ACPS told ALXnow that there is not a vaccine requirement at this time.