Second Presumptive New Coronavirus Case Identified In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Health Department announced a second presumptive positive case of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, on Sunday. The presumptive result must be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The announcement comes after Alexandria City Council approved a local emergency declaration Saturday.

The individual had attended a conference in DC on Feb. 25 and had close contact with an individual later confirmed to have COVID-19. Upon leaving for international travel, the Alexandria resident began to feel ill during the trip. The resident self-quarantined upon returning to Alexandria on March 6 and was monitored for symptoms. The individual was tested at Inova Alexandria Hospital, was released and is doing well under isolation at home.

Health officials have contacted people who had close contact with the confirmed case at the Feb. 25 conference in DC.

"[Alexandria Health Department] is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health to identify and contact any additional people who may have come in close contact with this case," said the health department in a statement. "Those identified as close contacts will be asked to self-quarantine and actively monitor for fever and respiratory symptoms. If they start experiencing symptoms, they will immediately undergo testing."

The other Alexandria case involves a resident who had close contact with a DC resident with COVID-19 who is associated with Christ Church in Georgetown. That DC resident spent time at the Immanuel Chapel of the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria.

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The Alexandria Health Department's investigation with the Virginia Department of Health determined congregants and visitors to the Immanuel Chapel between Feb. 26 and March 4 may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The local health department identified and contacted people who had close contact with the DC resident with COVID-19, advising them to self-quarantine. Congregants and visitors who were at Immanuel Chapel on those dates are urged to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days from their last visit.

As of Saturday, the Virginia Department of Health confirmed 41 presumptive positive cases in the state. The state also reported its first COVID-19 death, which involved a man in his 70s, who was hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus, died Saturday. That case was one of eight in James City County.

Anyone who is not connected to a known COVID-19 case and has symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should contact a health care provider for evaluation. The CDC says these symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure.

COVID-19 can range from mild to more severe illness, including some cases resulting in death. People who are older or have chronic medical conditions have a higher risk or developing a more serious illness.

The Alexandria Health Department recommends these measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• 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 percent 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.

More information on COVID-19 is available from the Alexandria Health Department, Virginia Department of Health and CDC. Questions can be directed to the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703-746-4988 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How COVID-19 is impacting city services

City government remains open with normal hours and core services. City Manager Mark Jinks directed department to evaluate whether internal and public meetings are essential on a three to four-week basis, and non-essential meetings will be canceled. Staff will consider if meetings are required by law or for the purpose of COVID-19 preparations, if cancellation places an undue hardship on participants or other stakeholders, whether participants include people in high-risk categories, whether some of all meeting items could be postponed, whether online virtual options could replace in-person meetings, and whether the setup or design of the meeting could be modified to reduce risk.

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities cancelled activities and programs through March 21. The Office of Historic Alexandria's activities and programs are cancelled through March 22, and Alexandria Library's activities and programs are cancelled through March 31. Changes will be reevaluated on a rolling basis. City recreation centers, library branches, art centers and museums are open on regular schedules.

Alexandria Renew Enterprises, Dominion Energy and Virginia American Water notified the City that utility disconnections for nonpayment are suspended.

Gov. Ralph Northam's order requires K-12 schools to close until at least March 27, but Alexandria City Public Schools opted to close for a longer period. Alexandria City Public Schools continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and is planning to close until after spring break, which ends after April 13.