An Alexandria resident has tested "presumptive positive" for coronavirus after having contact with a D.C. resident who spent time at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria in late February and early March.
The Alexandria Dept. of Health announced the diagnoses late Wednesday night, March 11. A "presumptive positive" means the initial test results were positive and the test is now being confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Alexandria resident had been contacted by the Alexandria Dept. of Health after having close contact with the D.C. resident at the chapel, and the resident was advised to quarantine at home.
According to a release from the City of Alexandria:
"If you visited the Immanuel Chapel between February 26 and March 4 and were not contacted directly by AHD and asked to self-quarantine, you may have been exposed to the virus but are considered by the CDC to be at low risk. AHD recommends that anyone who visited the Immanuel Chapel on those dates self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from their last visit.
Self-monitoring includes checking body temperature twice a day and monitoring for symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or temperature higher than 100.4 F. If you were potentially exposed at Immanuel Chapel and have any of these symptoms, or if you develop them within 14 days of the visit, call your primary care physician. If you develop these symptoms, you should also self-isolate and limit contact with others. If you visited Immanuel Chapel during the above dates but do not have the above symptoms, you do not need to call your physician or be tested for COVID-19."
------
Original story posted March 10 at 10:06 p.m.
The City of Alexandria is advising residents to start self-monitoring for symptoms of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
A resident of Washington, D.C., who has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus, spent time at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria in late February and early March.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever (or feeling feverish without an actual fever)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Additional symptoms can include body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and in some cases a person may also have a headache and possibly diarrhea.
If you believe you may have this coronavirus, call your doctor's office for instructions. Do not go straight to the emergency room, urgent care or your doctor's office, as they will need to take proper precautionary measures before you arrive.
Here are some key resources to review so your business can best be prepared:
- CDC’s COVID-19 website
- City of Alexandria’s response to COVID-19
- Alexandria Health Department website
- Virginia Department of Health’s website
- CDC’s printable fact sheets you can post at your business
- PCMA’s information for meetings and groups
- U.S. Travel Association’s comprehensive information for the travel industry
On Tuesday, the director of the Alexandria Health Dept. Stephen Haering hosted a webinar with practical advice for residents and workers in Alexandria. You can watch a recording of the entire webinar here.
The following was released by the City of Alexandria Tuesday evening:
On March 10, 2020, the Alexandria Health Department was notified that a resident of Washington, D.C., who now has a confirmed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus spent time at the Immanuel Chapel of the Virginia Theological Seminary (3737 Seminary Rd.).
The Alexandria Health Department’s investigation and consultation with the Virginia Department of Health have determined that all congregants and visitors to the Immanuel Chapel between February 26 and March 4 may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider this type of exposure to be low risk, the Alexandria Health Department recommends that anyone who visited the Immanuel Chapel on those dates monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days from their last visit.
Self-monitoring includes checking body temperature twice a day and monitoring for symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or temperature higher than 100.4 F.
Any individual who was potentially exposed at Immanuel Chapel and has any of these symptoms, or develops them within 14 days of visiting, should notify the Alexandria Health Department by phone at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If they develop these symptoms, they should also self-isolate and limit contact with others.
Individuals who visited Immanuel Chapel during the above dates but do not have the above symptoms do not need to call. The Alexandria Health Department is identifying and contacting individuals who are at higher risk to provide further guidance.
The entire Alexandria community should stay updated and informed about COVID-19. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions:
Wash your hands often by rubbing them together with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
For more information about the Alexandria Health Department’s response to COVID-19 and additional steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you, visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
