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Morning Notes

Published March 31, 2020 at 9:00AM

Writer Ellen Weston works alone along the Potomac River at Oronoco Bay Park (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There are Now 36 Cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria — “On March 30, the Alexandria Health Department confirmed four additional cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, bringing the total to 36. AHD is identifying and contacting individuals who came in close contact with the confirmed cases.” [City of Alexandria]

DASH Further Reduces Service — “As part of a wider effort to protect the health and safety of the Alexandria community and DASH employees, DASH implemented an Enhanced Sunday Operating Plan on weekdays and Saturdays, beginning March 30. No changes are anticipated to Sunday service; however, King Street Trolley service will discontinue until further notice.” [DASH]

News

Inova Offers Telemedicine For Alexandrians at Home

By James Cullum

Published March 27, 2020 at 2:00PM

The emergency room at Inova Alexandria Hospital. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

If Alexandria residents are feeling symptomatic during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inova hospital system is encouraging them to skip trips to the emergency room by making virtual medical appointments from the comfort of their homes.

Inova, in this period of social distancing, says telemedicine is a convenient way for residents to determine if they should receive additional medical care.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 27, 2020 at 9:00AM

Alexandria COVID-19 Count Now At 20 — “AHD is identifying and contacting individuals who came in close contact with the confirmed cases. The close contacts will be asked to self-quarantine and actively monitor for fever and respiratory symptoms. If they start experiencing symptoms, they will immediately undergo testing. As a result of the AHD’s case investigations and expanded testing through private providers, the number of positive cases is expected to continue to increase.” [City of Alexandria]

City’s COVID-19 Fund Reaches $470K — “Thanks to your generous support, ACT for Alexandria and the City of Alexandria have begun to provide grants to the nonprofit organizations on the front lines of this crisis. As of this week, we have made $245,010 in grants.” [Zebra]

News

Alexandrians Organize Letter Writing Campaign for Isolated Seniors

By Vernon Miles

Published March 25, 2020 at 4:30PM

A letter-writing campaign in Alexandria is underway to help break the isolation at some local senior care facilities.

The campaign is aimed at getting letters to three facilities: Sunrise of Alexandria (3520 Duke Street), Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (2729 King Street) and Brandywine Living at Alexandria (5550 Cardinal Place).

News

Alexandria Has 13 COVID-19 Cases, Moratorium Set on Restaurant and Hotel Taxes

By Vernon Miles

Published March 25, 2020 at 10:30AM

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alexandria yesterday jumped from nine to 13 as the city struggles to manage a pandemic that may just be getting started.

“Ordinarily would be talking about Potomac Yard and housing crisis — we’re pushing that aside,” said Mayor Justin Wilson at an emergency tele-City Council meeting last night. “It’s been a heartbreaking week, with the promise of more heartbreak ahead.”

News

UPDATED: Alexandria Company Offering COVID-19 Test Kits by Mail

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated March 21, 2020 at 9:26AM

Update at 9:25 a.m. — The Food and Drug Administration has warned that it has not authorized at-home testing kits for consumers, according to Bloomberg Law.

Update 5:40 p.m. — Josh Flood, President of CareClix, clarified the earlier information:

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

ACPS Releases Samples of Daily Schedules For Students — Alexandria City Public Schools, in their daily 1 p.m. update to parents, released sample daily schedules for students. The schedule includes time to wake up, taking a morning walk and three-and-a-half hours of academic time. [ACPS]

Alexandria Libraries Close Thru March 31 — “This was a difficult decision to make as we know how much people rely on their libraries to support their educational, entertainment, and recreational needs. However, libraries are a hub of community activity with some branches drawing hundreds of visitors per day.” [Alexandria Library]

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 16, 2020 at 9:00AM

Port City Brewing Co. Closes Tasting Room — “Effective Sunday, March 15, 2020, we will be closing our Tasting Room until further notice. We are doing this to help the community try to get a handle on the spread of Coronavirus.”[Facebook]

ACPS Provides Food Access Update — “Starting Monday, Alexandria City Public Schools will be providing emergency meals at no cost for any child under 18 and any family who needs it.” [ACPS]

News

Alexandria Businesses Bracing For Effects of COVID-19

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated March 13, 2020 at 4:28PM

Businesses, nonprofits and hotels around the city are feeling the initial effects of COVID-19.

Many businesses are offering contact-less service, delivering goods from door-to-door, and providing workouts and other services online for customers who would otherwise have to venture from home.

News

JUST IN: Inova Restricts Visitation Due to Coronavirus

By Vernon Miles

Published March 12, 2020 at 10:25AM

Inova Alexandria Hospital (Image via Inova Alexandria Hospital/Facebook)

Inova hospitals, including the one in Alexandria, announced today that it is implementing new restrictions on visitation to try to combat the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

According to a social media post, effective today (Thursday):

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2020 at 9:00AM

City Releases Multi-Language Coronavirus Fact Sheets — “The Alexandria Health Department has made multiple resources available regarding the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (now called “COVID-19″), and the Department of Community and Human Services encourages residents to read and share this information, especially in communities where languages other than English are primarily spoken, and with vulnerable residents, including those who may not have access to traditional media.” [City of Alexandria]

ARHA Looks to Redevelop Affordable Housing Properties — “Alexandria is now looking to redevelop five of its public housing communities, putting out a call for developers to replace 288 affordable homes around the city while building new “mixed-income communities… The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority recently issued a request for qualifications for interested developers on the projects, renewing a similar effort launched more than six years ago.” [Washington Business Journal]