By Denise Dunbar | ddunbar@alextimes.com

Alexandria is experiencing another surge in COVID-19 cases caused primarily by the highly contagious Delta variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said accounts for more than 80% of current cases nationwide.

Alexandria is now in the “substantial transmission” category for COVID-19, which is the second highest level, at 56.64 cases per 100,000 residents in the last seven days, according to the Alexandria Health Department. There were 16 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Tuesday, and the city had a seven-day moving average of 13.3 cases.

The current city-wide, seven-day moving average is at its highest level since May 4. Widespread vaccination steadily lowered the city’s caseload this spring, but 32.8% of city residents age 12 and older still have not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, making them particularly vulnerable to the Delta variant. Nationwide, the majority of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 are occurring among those who are still unvaccinated, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

Free vaccine clinics are being held daily in the city. For more information or to register for the vaccine, visit alexandriava. gov/vaccines.

The CDC recommended on Tuesday that all people, even those who are fully vaccinated, resume wearing masks indoors in public settings.