Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
While other parts of the Commonweatlh are experiencing surge in cases of COVID-19, Alexandria is holding the line on the coronavirus pandemic.
In part, this is due to Alexandria residents largely complying with mask mandates, social distancing and staying at home.
Last week, Alexandria Health Department Environmental Health Teams conducted unscheduled inspections of restaurants across the City. Of 100 establishments inspected, zero required citations and only one received a warning for having its bar open, which was corrected immediately.
Every inspected business participating in ALX Promise — the city's COVID-19 safety training and certification program — was in compliance.
ALX Promise is a free, voluntary certification program administered by the AHD. Businesses certified in the ALX Promise program have gone through special training in safety and cleaning measures and promise to keep up with regulations that reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.
The Alexandria area's transmission rate has gone back down after a slight increase in the weeks after the region entered Phase 3 of Gov. Ralph Northam's reopening plan, Forward Virginia.
However, the City is still seeing fluctuations in daily reported numbers. "The daily variation underscores that cases are recorded as of the date VDH assigns them to Alexandria, which is not necessarily close to the date patients were ill or their lab results were confirmed. For example, the fatality reported on July 24 occurred in June. Cases are frequently reassigned between localities once patients’ places of residence are clarified," according to a City of Alexandria enews email.
Residents and businesses in Hampton Roads and the surrounding area haven't been as diligent about safety measures. In response, Gov. Ralph Northam rolled back regulations there. As of Friday, bars will be closed, indoor restaurant seating will be reduced and gatherings are limited to 50 people again.
