COVID-19 levels in Alexandria have reached a new record, according to local health officials, surpassing the last strong coronavirus surge in January 2021.
Virginia Dept. of Health data shows that an average of more than 550 residents are testing positive each day over the past week and the numbers are continuing to increase. Even for those who are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, it's time to be more vigilant about wearing masks.
Omicron is the dominant COVID-19 variant now across the entire U.S., said Rachel Stradling, an Alexandria Health Dept. official, Wednesday morning in a virtual meeting with Alexandria business owners.
Early data seems to indicate that those who are fully vaccinated will have milder symptoms than those who are not vaccinated; however, those who are immunocompromised, elderly or have other health issues could still experience severe symptoms, be hospitalized or die from the virus.
Alexandria Dept. of Health, Dec. 22, 2021
People who are not vaccinated are 4x times more likely than unvaccinated individuals to get sick and 5x more likely to be hospitalized from the virus circulating right now, Stradling said.
About 68.5% of Alexandria residents are fully vaccinated, meaning a person has received the complete course of vaccines against COVID-19. Fewer than 40% of Alexandrians have received a booster shot, and early research indicates that booster shot seems to be critical in helping fighting off the Omicron variant of COVID-19. In response, local officials are more strongly encouraging people to get a booster shot or at least complete their vaccination. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet changed their definition of “fully vaccinated” to include a booster shot.)
Vaccinations are still “our best strategy to getting out of this COVID-19 situation,” Stradling said.
Smart moves at this time include:
- Dining outdoors and moving holiday parties outdoors or attend virtually.
- Take advantage of curbside pickup for holiday gifts.
- Wear masks if you are inside any public building. Masks should fit snugly and cover your nose and mouth.
- If you feel sick, stay far away from other people and do not go to work or travel, even with a mask on. If you live with someone who is sick, isolate that person as much as possible and limit contact. Use separate bathrooms when possible.
- If you test positive, please reach out all those you have been in contact with to let them know so they can get tested, too.
About Testing
The PCR test is widely considered to be the ‘gold standard’ of COVID-19 testing. However, at-home tests have become much more accurate in the past year. At home tests may be available through local pharmacies or free through Alexandria libraries (go to alexlibraryva.org/covid-kits for updated information on availability).
PCR testing is available through the local Curative kiosks in Alexandria (click here for locations), and also through local pharmacies. You may schedule an appointment, but you may find yourself waiting in a long line, anyway, due to high demand ahead of holiday travel and high transmission rates. Two Curative sites in Alexandria ran out of tests Tuesday but are now replenished.
Expectations for December and January
There is no change to plans for First Night Alexandria, Dec. 31, and it is very unlikely that Alexandria and the rest of the state will go into a lockdown situation similar to early 2020. However, some area school districts are already making plans to return to school virtually in January. Alexandria and Fairfax County Public Schools have asked students to bring their virtual learning devices home, but neither school district has made any decision about whether students will return to the classroom after winter break.
