Despite high vaccination rates — and fewer signs out reminding people to mask up — both Alexandria and Fairfax County are seeing COVID-19 case rates comparable to mid-September, according to data from the Virginia Dept. of Health.
Cases have been on the upswing since just after Thanksgiving, a particularly busy holiday for travel and gatherings.
The City of Alexandria has reported a seven-day average of 35.7 positive cases diagnosed per day, as of Dec. 7. Fairfax County has a seven-day average of 190.4. Statewide trendlines show a similar increase from Thanksgiving weekend through this week.
Virginia Dept. of Health
Virginia Dept. of Health
Vaccines have helped reduce the number of severe cases of COVID-19, which means that hospitalizations are low across the region. Still, for many, COVID-19 isn’t a pleasant experience with symptoms such as fever, body aches, a loss of taste and smell, sore throat and difficulty breathing.
Both Alexandria and Fairfax County have more than 75 percent of residents at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
Officially, the omicron variant of COVID-19 (which the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has classified as a “variant of concern” has not arrived in Virginia yet, but it has been found in Maryland. The variant seems to spread more easily than past variants. Scientists believe the current vaccines are effective against the variant, but more research is needed. The CDC says that vaccines, masks and staying far away from those who have been exposed to COVID-19 are still the best protections.
Booster shots and first or second dose vaccine shots are readily available for anyone age 18 and older. Go to vaccinate.virginia.gov to find out where to get a vaccine or booster.
