Alexandria is warning residents that toxic marijuana laced with “unusual substances” has led to four recent overdoses in Prince William County.
“One person died, and the other three were revived with Narcan (naloxone), suggesting that the marijuana may have been mixed with opioids,” the city said in a release. “While use of any illegal drug is dangerous, City officials are urging residents to be especially cautious given these recent overdoses.”
Where are Alexandrians getting COVID-19 these days?
A majority of recent coronavirus cases in Alexandria might be the result of contacts at home, indoor gatherings and eating out, according to the Alexandria Health Department.
There are or have been 4,230 total cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, which is an increase of 107 cases since last Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
There have also been 325 total hospitalizations in the city (an increase of two hospitalizations since this time last week). The death count stands at 74 with two probable cases associated with the virus.
Free COVID-19 Testing Today in West End — “FREE COVID-19 TESTING! Tomorrow (Thursday) from 3 PM until 6 PM @NeighborhoodHth will be hosting another COVID-19 testing pop-up in partnership with the City. The event will be held at Burke Library at 4701 Seminary Road.” [Twitter]
Beyer Says Trump Has Made Fortune While in Office — “Donald Trump has a secret Chinese bank account, new properties in Scotland opened while he was in office, half a billion dollars owed to creditors like Deutsche Bank, licensing deals in Turkey, India, and the Philippines, and the Saudi government spent millions at his hotels.” [Twitter]
Beyer Says People Will Suffer Without Unemployment Insurance Program Extension — “”We’re making a deeply fundamental mistake not reauthorizing all our unemployment insurance programs. When we take the money away, that’s what’s been propping up consumer spending and the ability of people to get by.” [Twitter]
City Opens Additional Locations for Absentee Voting — “Absentee voting will be available at the Charles Beatley Library (5005 Duke St.) from October 23 through October 31, except Sundays. Absentee voting will also be available at Minnie Howard School (3801 W. Braddock Rd.) and George Washington Middle School (1005 Mt. Vernon Ave.), on Saturdays, October 24 and 31, only. All three locations will have ballot drop boxes available during voting hours, which vary according to the list below.” [City of Alexandria]
Alexandria Living Legend Joe Shumard Dies — “Over the weekend, Joe Shumard, an Alexandria Living Legend, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the George Washington Birthday Celebration and Parade, and president of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, passed away after an extended illness.” [Zebra]
Beyer Calls Trump ‘Menace’ After President Denounces Fauci on Twitter — “Donald Trump publicly attacks one of the country’s leading medical experts with juvenile personal insults as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths spike across the United States. Trump is a menace to the health and safety of the American people.” [Twitter]
Two more Alexandria residents have died from COVID-19 since last week, and the death toll now stands at 75, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The victims were two men in their sixties.
What a week it’s been in Alexandria.
Our top story this week was the report that Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. sends one of his children to Bishop Ireton High School. In case you missed it, the story first broke in Theogony, the T.C. Williams High School newspaper.
If you are a daycare provider or have kids in child care, the Alexandria Health Department will conduct the first of virtual two town hall meetings on the subject starting tonight (Thursday, Oct. 15) at 6 p.m.
“Guardians will be reminded of the steps they can take to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and share resources,” notes a city release.
There are or have been 4,045 cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria since the pandemic started in March, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
That’s an increase of 68 cases since Friday, and VDH attributes the spike to a “surveillance system reporting issue” and missed 689 cases.
The Alexandria Health Department is advising senior citizens to get a high-dose influenza vaccine this flu season.
“Flu vaccination is particularly important for senior residents, who account for most hospitalizations and deaths from flu, and are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, which shares many characteristics of flu,” according to a city release. “AHD Medical Reserve Corps recently conducted an informal phone survey of more than 50 Alexandria pharmacies, and found that most of them either have the Senior Flu Shot available currently or will soon.”
