vaccine | ALXnow

Mayor Wilson talks flooding, vaccine requirements, and Arlington gondola with WAMU

Published August 20, 2021 at 2:25PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson gestures while delivering remarks at TC Williams High School (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Today on WAMU’s The Politics Hour, Mayor Justin Wilson laid out plans for flood infrastructure work, predicted a decision this fall over whether recreation centers will require proof of vaccination, and tacitly endorsed the Arlington-Georgetown gondola.

The discussion of the mayor took up the back half of the hour-long program hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood. As fitting the program’s name, the show started with a question of politics and whether Mayor Justin Wilson is planning to debate Republican candidate Annetta Catchings.

News

ACPS announces vaccination requirement for staff, but some aspects still uncertain

By Vernon Miles

Published August 20, 2021 at 10:55AM

Last night (Thursday), just four days before the school year is scheduled to start, the Alexandria School Board voted to require staff to either be vaccinated or take weekly COVID-19 tests.

The School Board unanimously voted approval of the vaccination and testing requirements, but with significant changes throughout the meeting over when staff would be required to submit their proof of vaccination.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated August 20, 2021 at 1:14PM

Booster shot preparations for adults made in Alexandria — “After a White House announcement that a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine could be available to adults as soon as Sept. 20, the City of Alexandria is preparing to administer the additional doses.” [Patch]

Efforts underway to educate public as city adjusts to marijuana legalization — “In order to spread awareness about the details of the bill and quell community concerns, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria worked with the governor’s office to release a “Top 10″ list for youth and adults that concretely explains the new measure’s rules and regulations.” [Alextimes]

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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.

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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

Alexandria School Board to discuss mandatory vaccinations for staffers this week

By James Cullum

Published August 16, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated August 16, 2021 at 2:49PM

The School Board will determine this week whether to make coronavirus vaccines mandatory for all Alexandria City Public Schools staffers.

COVID-19 numbers are on the rise in Alexandria, and unvaccinated people make up a majority of new cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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Alexandria reports 204 COVID-19 cases in July, a big jump over last month

By James Cullum

Published August 2, 2021 at 9:55AM

Alexandria’s COVID-19 uptick continues to gain steam, as there have been 118 new cases reported in the last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

There were also 204 new cases reported in the month of July, a 343% increase over June, which only saw 43 new cases.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

ACT For Alexandria CEO wins nonprofit leadership award — “As nonprofit leaders in Greater Washington, Mike Di Marco, Kahina Haynes, and Heather Peeler are invested in improving and advancing their organizations–and themselves. This year, we’re excited to announce them as our fourth annual David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Awardees. (They) will each receive up to $15,000 to attend an intensive executive training program of their choice.” [The Community Foundation]

City recommends monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms regardless of vaccination status — “Although the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases are among unvaccinated people, those who are fully vaccinated can still contract COVID-19 and are more likely to experience mild illness. Anyone experiencing the following symptoms should get tested: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; or diarrhea. Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated. Find your shot online today.” [City of Alexandria]

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Alexandria sees 90 COVID cases in July, another death

By James Cullum

Published July 20, 2021 at 1:15PM

Alexandria’s COVID uptick continues, as 90 new cases have been reported this month. The death of another city resident was also reported on July 13, and the number of deaths now stands at 141.

Some Alexandria businesses have returned to asking residents to wear masks indoors, like the 24 Express Food Store at 4007 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria.

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Mayor: City more vaccinated than health department data indicates

By Vernon Miles

Published July 2, 2021 at 2:30PM

On paper, Alexandria has had a hard time closing the gap to the city’s goal of 80% of residents getting vaccinated or even the Virginia target of 70%.

Several explanations for the challenge have been put forward, but in a town hall this week Mayor Justin Wilson put forward another: the city has already hit that goal, but the way the calculations work don’t show it.

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Alexandria using Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School for COVID-19 testing and vaccine pilot

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2021 at 4:45PM

The Alexandria Health Department has launched a COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinic at the Teen Wellness Center in an effort to get more 12-to-19-year-olds vaccinated.

The pilot will help the department figure out how to incorporate it into the school system, acting AHD Director Dr. Anne Gaddy told City Council and School Board members in a meeting Monday night.