The level of new coronavirus cases in Arlington has receded a bit after reaching a new record over the weekend.
As of Sunday, the trailing seven-day average of daily coronavirus cases reached 75.7 — or 530 cases over the course of a week — a new local record. As of Monday, it’s now 63.3 daily cases, or 443 over a seven-day period, the lowest point since Nov. 21.
More than 1,000 coronavirus tests were performed in Arlington on at least four days over the past week.
The surge in testing may be attributable to returning college students, traveling relatives and others seeking a virus-free Thanksgiving gathering. It has pushed the county’s seven-day testing average up to 928 daily tests and the test positivity rate down to 6.3%, from 7.6% just four days ago.
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Just over a week ago, new coronavirus restrictions went into effect in Virginia.
Among other things, Gov. Ralph Northam ordered a 25-person limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings, down from 250; an expanded mask requirement; and a 10 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales for on-site consumption.
Going to work or eating at a restaurant are two of the most commonly-reported activities among Arlingtonians who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
That’s according to new information released by Arlington County.
(Updated at noon) Both Arlington and Virginia as a whole reached fresh one-day and trailing seven-day peaks for new coronavirus cases today.
In Arlington this morning, a record 98 new cases were reported, bringing the trailing seven-day average to its eighth consecutive daily record: 68 daily cases, or 476 cases over the past week.
As the November chill setting in, Arlington County restaurants are taking steps to keep guests cozy as they eat at impromptu patios.
Outdoor dining continues to be an option for restaurants that want to seat more customers while keeping indoor occupancy low. But some Arlington restaurant owners are facing hurdles outfitting their space with heaters and extra seating while meeting local and state laws.
In March, Arlington County was on-track to set a new record low for tax delinquency rates.
Then, the coronavirus hit.
For the fifth day in a row, Arlington has hit a new high point for coronavirus infections.
The Virginia Dept. of Health reported 59 new COVID-19 cases in the county overnight, bringing the seven-day trailing total to 412, or an average of 59 cases per day. That’s 10 times the level of infection at the end of June, at a local lull in the pandemic.
A 1970s technology is causing a very 2020 problem at Arlington County’s drive-thru coronavirus testing site.
The collection site at 1429 N. Quincy Street is, as of publication time, temporarily closed. The reason, according to Arlington Public Health spokesman Ryan Hudson, is because “the site is having some technical issues with its fax line.”
Wakefield High School has opened its doors to a handful of students in search of better internet connectivity, a quiet place to study or a trip out of the house.
From 8 a.m.-3 p.m., up to 30 students can study at socially distanced work stations in the school’s vaulted atrium, featuring a glass wall that overlooks a courtyard. In the space, students can study without the distractions or demands of family life and they have access to technicians if their computers break.
(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) For the third day in a row, Arlington’s daily coronavirus case average has risen to a new record.
In Arlington, 58 new cases were reported overnight, following 74 new cases on Tuesday and 82 new cases on Monday. The trailing seven-day total of new COVID cases is now 382, or nearly 55 per day, a new record.
Arlington Streetcar Anniversary — Today is the sixth anniversary of the cancellation of the Columbia Pike and Crystal City streetcar project. [ARLnow]
APS Still Planning for In-Person School — “Some have asked why we are proceeding at this time given the latest health metrics. It is important that we gather the information schools need to plan now, so that they have the time to prepare for possible transitions in January. Delaying the process would mean that we would not be ready to open our schools for more students, should we determine it is safe enough to do so.” [Arlington Public Schools]
