The number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria has declined sharply since cresting on Jan. 12, while the positivity rate and hospitalizations have also significantly dropped from their peaks.
After reaching their zenith at a seven-day average of 95 COVID-19 cases on Jan. 12, the seven-day average number of new cases in Alexandria has dropped by almost two-thirds, to 37 as of Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The decline in Alexandria’s overall positivity rate mirrored that of case totals, as it fell by more than half in the last six weeks: to 6.4% on Tuesday from a high of 13.3% on Jan. 2.
Though greatly reduced, the positivity rate, which measures the percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19, is still almost double what it was on Nov. 3, 2020, when it hit a low of 3.5% before climbing to 8% by the end of the month and to 9.8% by Dec. 7, 2020, according to the VDH.
Reply
The Alexandria Health Department is starting to vaccinate the remaining essential worker groups in Phase 1B. (Shutterstock)
ALEXANDRIA, VA The Alexandria Health Department says it is opening vaccinations to other essential worker groups in Phase 1B while vaccinations for seniors are ongoing.
On Jan. 11, the health department started Phase 1B, prioritizing people 75 and older, police, fire, and hazmat workers; corrections and homeless shelter workers; and, childcare and preK-12 teachers and staff. Eligibility was expanded on Jan. 14 to anyone 65 and older and people 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition or disability.
The health department is now vaccinating other essential workers, including packaging and agriculture workers (includes veterinarians), manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, mail carriers (USPS and private), and officials needed to maintain continuity of government (including judges and public-facing judicial workers).
Cleveland health commissioner resigns as the coronavirus crisis continues Cleveland Health Commissioner Persis Sosiak (Source: Cleveland Department of Public Health) By Rachel Vadaj | February 1, 2021 at 8:23 PM EST - Updated February 1 at 8:23 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The City of Cleveland confirmed Health Commissioner Persis Sosiak sent in her resignation on Monday amid the ongoing pandemic.
Her position will be posted after her last day on Friday.
Sosiak was sworn in by Mayor Frank Jackson as the Commissioner of the Division of Health on Dec. 5, 2016.
Prior to joining CDPH, Persis served at the Cleveland Clinic for 11 years, worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Alexandria Health Department in Va., and an international NGO with the American International Health Alliance.
By Staff
As of Feb.3, there have been 9,544 positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Alexandria, resulting in 104 fatalities, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, 490 Alexandria residents have been hospitalized because of COVID-19.
The Alexandria fatalities include 48 women and 52 men. The race and ethnicity breakdown includes 52 white people, 25 Black people, 17 Latinos, three Asian or Pacific Islanders, two of another race, one of two or more races and one not reported. Of the 104 fatalities, 69 – or about 66% – have been residents age 70 and older. Demographic data is not reported for all cases.
Virginia has reported 513,339 cases, including 6,575 deaths and 21,638 hospitalizations as of Feb. 3, according to the VDH. As of Feb.3, there are 904,059 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Virginia, Maryland and D.C., according to the Washington Post.
Like their counterparts across Virginia, Alexandria’s healthcare workers are eager to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Demand for the vaccine is definitely there, as more than 20,000 city residents have registered to receive the inoculation, according to the Alexandria Health Department.
Many of those 20,000 are increasingly frustrated, however, as the problem rests with the supply: The city has not come close to vaccinating – or even scheduling vaccination appointments – for all of its eligible residents.
According to the Virginia Department of Health’s online data tracker, 9,473 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alexandria as of Wednesday. Of those who received their first dose, just under one-tenth, 905 residents, have received their second dose. The reported numbers include vaccines administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pharmacy partnership with Walgreens and CVS.