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Morning Notes

Published August 11, 2021 at 5:00AM

Hula hoop fusion classes through the Department of Recreation outside Old Town Pool at 1609 Cameron Street. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria ranks ninth in Virginia for small businesses — “Alexandria ranked ninth overall among Virginia localities with a small business index score of 39.17. The city was seventh for percentage of small business income — 10.11 percent.” [Patch]

Alexandria ranked by CDC as third best city in U.S. for surviving zombie apocalypse — “It seems the CDC-yes, the Centers for Disease Control were kind of bored a while back and actually posted a Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness Guide which recently inspired a company called Lawn Love to dig into a bunch of data and develop 2021’s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse and Alexandria, Virginia turns out to be a good spot to be in such an event.” [Zebra]

News

Alexandria updates COVID-19 guidance as cases increase

By Vernon Miles

Published August 9, 2021 at 2:15PM

With the city starting to see an upswing in COVID-19 cases, the city is updating some of it’s guidance for local residents and directing them to resources — like where to go if you lost that vaccination card that was frustratingly not wallet-sized.

Over the last few months, there’s been an average of 10-20 new COVID-19 cases reported daily; a far cry from the peaks of hundreds of new cases earlier this year but a noticable increase. There has been a total of 73 new cases per 100,000 persons for the last seven days, which is considered substantial transmission.

News

New city health improvement plan aims to fix inequities

By James Cullum

Published July 16, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated July 16, 2021 at 1:41PM

Where you live in Alexandria can determine your life expectancy, and a newly released City plan is focusing on removing the effects of decades of discriminatory practices.

The Community Health Improvement Plan 2025 (CHIP) is a blueprint to address poverty, mental health, and housing policies and systems in the city. For instance, the average life expectancy in the city’s heavily Hispanic Arlandria neighborhood is 78, while more affluent areas like Old Town have a life expectancy of 87.

News

Alexandria sees COVID-19 uptick as health department says unvaccinated account for majority of new cases

By James Cullum

Published July 12, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated July 14, 2021 at 10:35AM

Alexandria has seen a jump in its COVID-19 numbers this month, as the state health department says unvaccinated Virginians are making up 99.6% of new cases.

The Virginia Department of Health, on Friday, revealed the information in a new dashboard that launched Friday. Alexandria has suffered 11,921 reported cases, 140 deaths and 572 hospitalizations since the onset of the pandemic. The last death was reported on July 1, there were two deaths in June and four deaths in May.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 10, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated June 10, 2021 at 4:43PM

Playing soccer at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Sheriff Dana Lawhorne to receive Lifetime Valor Award — “In recognition of his retirement, we are pleased to honor Sheriff Dana Lawhorne with a Lifetime Valor Award at this year’s Valor Awards. Join us virtually, on June 22nd, to honor Sheriff Lawhorne’s 43 years of law enforcement service to Alexandria.” [Chamber ALX]

West End Business Association hosting 1 p.m. conversation with Mayor — “Take this opportunity to ask questions and connect with Mayor Justin Wilson about how he would continue to serve the city of Alexandria.” [WEBA]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2021 at 5:00AM

Winners of the 2021 Democratic Primary (left to right) Councilman Canek Aguirre, Councilwoman Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Alyia Gaskins, Sarah Bagley, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who won the 45th District primary, and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) at a victory party at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. (Photo via Alexandria Democratic Committee/Facebook)

McAuliffe, Ayala, Herring win statewide Democratic primary — “Former Virginia governor and longtime fixture as a national Democratic Party leader Terry McAuliffe won the state’s Democratic nomination for a second term as governor in Tuesday’s primary election, the Associated Press reported at 7:44 p.m. In the two other statewide races, the lieutenant governor’s contest was called by AP for Del. Hala Ayala. In the attorney general race, Del. Jay Jones conceded to incumbent Mark Herring.” [Patch]

Council candidates pose after Democratic primary — “Congratulations to our 2021 Democratic nominees for Alexandria Mayor (Justin Wilson) and City Council (John Chapman, Alyia Gaskins, Amy Jackson, Canek Aguirre, Sarah Bagley, and Kirk McPike), and the 45th House District (Elizabeth Bennett Parker)! Onward to November!” [Facebook]

News

Alexandria Health Department to unveil ALX Promise Gold accreditation program for businesses as COVID restrictions lift

By James Cullum

Published May 26, 2021 at 3:35PM

The Alexandria Health Department on Friday, May 28, is launching a new accreditation program for businesses to make visitors feel safe.

That’s the day that Governor Ralph Northam is lifting all COVID-19 restrictions throughout Virginia.

News

Alexandria’s COVID-19 deaths climb to 136, cases trickle to 11,825

By James Cullum

Published May 24, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated May 24, 2021 at 1:28PM

Alexandria’s COVID-19 deaths have increased by one to 136, and the number of cases has reached 11,825, an increase of 26 cases since last Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The city’s seven-day moving average is now 3.9.

News

No new coronavirus cases reported today in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published May 18, 2021 at 1:15PM

In a first for the city since at least the start of the year, there have been no new cases of coronavirus and no new hospitalizations reported in Alexandria.

The city’s count of total cases stands at 11,799, with total hospitalizations at 563, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

News

Alexandria lifts face mask mandate, aligns with state to eliminate distancing requirements on May 28

By James Cullum

Published May 17, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated May 17, 2021 at 2:44PM

The Alexandria City Council on Saturday unanimously voted on Saturday to align the city’s face mask ordinance with the state’s guidance.

That means that Governor Ralph Northam’s recent lifting of the mask mandate applies to vaccinated city residents, and that any additional changes his office makes will not need local approval.

News

Alexandria prepares to move into broader vaccination age range

By Vernon Miles

Published May 13, 2021 at 2:30PM

Vaccination in Alexandria could open up for ages 12 to 15 soon after the Pfizer vaccine recently cleared federal approval.

In a recent update to the City Council, Alexandria Population Health Manager Natalie Talis gave an update on where the city is so far in vaccination efforts and what, including the vaccine age expansion, is ahead.