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BREAKING: Second Coronavirus Case Reported in Arlington

Published March 12, 2020 at 2:45PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

Coronavirus (photo via CDC/Unsplash)

Arlington announced a second “presumptive” case of coronavirus in the county Thursday afternoon.

An individual associated with Christ Church in Georgetown, where a pastor was diagnosed with the disease, developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while self-quarantined at home and tested positive for the disease, the county said.

Schools

APS Grapples with Wakefield Water Problems

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 11:45AM

The timing could hardly be worse: during the coronavirus outbreak, as people are urged to frequently wash their hands, Wakefield High School is experiencing water pressure issues in bathrooms.

Emails sent to parents and staff report occasional but recurring water pressure problems that affect second and third floor bathrooms in particular. We’re told the issues cropped up again earlier this week.

News

County, Schools Cancelling or Postponing ‘Non-Essential’ Events

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 10:55AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) Arlington County government and Arlington Public Schools are cancelling or postponing non-essential gatherings and events.

The county released a statement Thursday morning saying that it is “taking steps to help mitigate and contain the spread of COVID-19,” including re-examining public gatherings during the outbreak.

News

Arlington Joins Group Dedicated to ‘Connecting Cities and Nature’

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 9:55AM | Updated March 12, 2020 at 11:25AM

Arlington County announced this week that it has joined a group of localities “dedicated to improving the connection between residents and urban nature.”

Arlington was accepted as a partner in the Biophilic Cities Network, according to a press release, which noted that joining it means “Arlington County understands the importance of daily contact with nature to a meaningful and healthy urban life.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 6:30AM

More Signs of Coronavirus Preps — Emptier shelves at local grocery stores, less traffic on the roads: there are signs that locals are taking the coronavirus threat seriously. During the first hour of yesterday’s evening rush hour, traffic on I-395 was relatively light. Last night, there was barely any canned soup left on the shelves at the Lee-Harrison Harris Teeter. [Twitter, Twitter]

Some Churches Close, Others Announce Changes — Episcopal churches in the D.C. area have suspended worship services, while the Catholic Diocese of Arlington announced a series of measures intended to help prevent the spread of disease. [Washington Post, Press Release]

Events

Four Courts Four Miler Cancelled

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2020 at 9:00PM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:13PM

2014 Four Courts Four Miler road race (photo courtesy of Brian W. Knight/Swim Bike Run Photography)

The popular annual Four Courts Four Miler race, scheduled for this weekend, has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.

The St. Patrick’s Day-themed race usually takes runners from Courthouse, through Rosslyn, down Route 110 and back. Instead, organizers announced today that it has been called off and those who signed up will have their registrations deferred until 2021.

News

JUST IN: Marymount to Extend Spring Break, Conduct Online-Only Classes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2020 at 4:25PM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:12PM

(Updated at 5 p.m.) Arlington-based Marymount University, which has campuses in Ballston and at 2807 N. Glebe Road, is extending its spring break and temporarily nixing in-person classes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The university announced today (Wednesday) that its spring break, currently underway, will be extended by two days. Then, on March 18, classes will resume online only.

Feature

Arlington Pet of the Week: Vila & Macchiato

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2020 at 12:30PM

Arlington Pet of the Week Vila & Macchiato (photo courtesy of Paula)

This week two rescue cats are Arlington’s Pet of the Week: Vila & Macchiato.

Here is what the felines’ owner has to say about their lives in Arlington:

Around Town

‘Chocolate Dipped Wine Bottle’ Seller Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2020 at 11:30AM

An Ohio-based company that offers boozy, candy-covered gifts is planning to open at Pentagon City mall, according to a permit filing.

Bliss in a Bottle, which previously opened a kiosk at Tysons Corner Center, sells beer and wine bottles covered in chocolate, sprinkles and other candies.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:12PM

Coronavirus Case in Falls Church — “On Mar. 9, a U.S. Navy civilian employee at the US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) in Falls Church, Virginia, tested ‘presumptive positive’ for the coronavirus (COVID-19)… The individual is currently at a hospital in Northern Virginia.” [U.S. Navy]

Northam Signs Arlington Tourism Tax Bill — “The governor’s signature on March 2 made it official – Arlington will now be able to impose a surtax on hotel stays, with the proceeds going to tourism promotion, in perpetuity. Gov. Northam signed legislation patroned by state Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax-Arlington) removing the ‘sunset clause’ from existing legislation allowing Arlington to tack on an additional 0.25 percent to the 5-percent transient-occupancy tax imposed by the county government on those staying in hotels and motels.” [InsideNova]

News

Rep. Beyer to Self-Quarantine After Coronavirus Exposure

By ARLnow.com

Published March 10, 2020 at 10:10PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:22AM

As coronavirus continues its rapid spread, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is among those self-quarantining after coming into contact with someone who had the disease.

Beyer announced Tuesday night that he recently dined with a friend in D.C. who later tested positive for COVID-19. The congressman, who represents Arlington, Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County, made the announcement shortly before a telephone town hall meeting he organized about coronavirus.

News

JUST IN: Another Coronavirus Exposure at a Crystal City Office

By ARLnow.com

Published March 10, 2020 at 5:45PM | Updated March 11, 2020 at 11:12PM

(Updated at 9:15 p.m.) A second office in Crystal City is being sanitized after another coronavirus exposure.

“In the last hour, we were notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) relating to a guest of a tenant occupying space at 2345 Crystal Drive,” said a memo sent by property owner JBG Smith earlier today and obtained by ARLnow. “The tenant is located on the 11th floor of 2345 Crystal Drive. It is our understanding that the guest of the tenant attended a meeting within the tenant’s space for approximately one hour on Thursday, March 5th, and the guest later tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, March 9th.”