Arlington County is likely to top 2,000 known coronavirus cases overnight, as infections continue at a somewhat steady pace.
As of Wednesday morning, the Virginia Dept. of Health reported 1,988 cases, 371 cumulative COVID-related hospitalizations, and 109 deaths. That’s an increase of 53 cases, four hospitalizations and five deaths overnight.
Confusion Over Governor’s Mask Order — “At a briefing this afternoon, Gov. Ralph Northam emphasized that Virginia’s new indoor mask requirements weren’t intended to be criminally enforced. But the text of the order (released ~3 hours later) defines a violation as Class 1 misdemeanor.” [Virginia Mercury, Twitter]
Virus Hits Latino Communities Hard — “Fredys Medina, a diabetic construction worker from Arlington County, waved off his wife’s suggestion that he had the virus after he developed a cough and fever in late April, and he continued to work. Two weeks later, he collapsed on the living room floor. By the time paramedics arrived, Medina, 56, was gone. His wife, Leonor Medina, an unemployed hotel housekeeper, was left with an $8,000 funeral bill.” [Washington Post]
With Arlington and Northern Virginia poised to begin a Phase 1 reopening on Friday, the Arlington County Board today took a first step towards allowing more business to be conducted outdoors during the pandemic.
A growing body of scientific evidence has found that coronavirus spreads primarily in confined, indoor settings. That’s why Virginia’s Phase 1 reopening only allows restaurants to reopen to “dine-in” customers outdoors, with physical distancing requirements between diners and other restrictions.
Arlington and Northern Virginia are expected to begin a phased reopening on Friday.
“That’s the plan,” Gov. Ralph Northam said of the partial reopening during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. The region will be joining much of the rest of the state, which started its “Phase 1” reopening on May 15.
As Arlington County continues to push locals to respond to the census, the County has highlighted areas where significant portions of the local population remain uncounted.
A map published by the County last week showed low census response — less than 61.5% responding — from the western end of Columbia Pike and throughout Crystal City.
Former Arlington County Board member John Vihstadt has endorsed a fellow independent in the July 7 County Board special election.
The race, to fill the seat of the late Erik Gutshall on the Board, features three candidates: Democratic nominee Takis Karantonis, independent Susan Cunningham, and Republican Bob Cambridge.
(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) Arlington and other Northern Virginia localities say they’re ready to reopen by the end of the week.
That’s according to a letter signed by Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey and other elected officials, sent to Gov. Ralph Northam and posted by Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson on Monday evening.
Free Coronavirus Testing Event Today — “Arlington County will host a free COVID-19 testing event on Tuesday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Barcroft (4200 S Four Mile Run Drive). Tests available both by drive-up and walk-up. No doctor’s note or ID required… the public can anticipate heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area.” [Arlington County, Twitter, Twitter]
Flasher Arrested After Incident Near Ballston — “At approximately 12:12 p.m., an officer on patrol was flagged down by an individual in need of assistance. It was determined that the victim was in the area when she was allegedly approached by the male suspect who exposed himself before running away. The officer located an individual matching the suspect description and, during the course of the investigation, he was positively identified.” [Arlington County]
Police swarmed the Pentagon City area Saturday night after a Virginia State Police pursuit ended in the neighborhood.
“At 10:06 p.m., Virginia State Police attempted a traffic stop on a BMW traveling north on I-95 near Exit 158 in Prince William County. The traffic stop was for excessive speeding,” VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller tells ARLnow. “The vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended at South Hayes and South Fern Street in Arlington. The adult male driver and adult male passenger were taken into custody.”
MidAtlantic Urgent Care is closing after nearly nine years in business, citing a big financial hit from the pandemic.
The locally-owned clinic at 3301 Wilson Boulevard first opened in 2011. It is closing permanently at the end of May.
Exactly two months after closing amid the pandemic, Arlington’s parks are partially reopening in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Arlington County made the announcement shortly before 1 p.m., noting that a number of park amenities will remain closed.
(Updated at 11:10 a.m.) Two of the key metrics to track the coronavirus epidemic in Arlington are pointing in the right direction, but only modestly so.
Both new cases and hospitalizations are down, following the release of Friday’s COVID-19 data by the Virginia Dept. of Health.
