Arlington Coronavirus Update: Positivity Rate Inches Up

ARLINGTON, VA— The seven-day average of the percentage of positive cases in the Arlington Health District has inched up slightly over the last week, according to the latest data from the Virginia Department of Health.

VDH reported Monday that 44,332 COVID-19 tests have been taken in Arlington, with a 5.4 percent positivity rate. On Aug. 10, VDH reported the health district's positivity rate at 4.8 percent. Monday's number is Arlington's highest positivity rate since July 17, when it stood at 6.8 percent.

Despite this growth in the number of positive tests being reported in Arlington, it still lags behind the percentage of positive cases reported in the rest of Virginia. Statewide there have been 1,484,752 COVID-19 tests taken, with a 7.3 percent positivity rate, according to VDH.

Virginia health officials reported 17 new coronavirus cases Monday, which is about half of the 33 new cases reported on Sunday. This brings the total to 3,246. The total of COVID-19-related deaths in the Arlington Health District stands at 135. The last time VDH reported a new death in the health district was on July 31.

In the health district, there have been a total of 437 hospitalized patients to date.

As of Monday, there are 107,421 total cases statewide, according to data reported by the Virginia Department of Health. In Virginia, there have been 2,385 coronavirus-related deaths to date. There have been a total of 8,767 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

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There have been 18 coronavirus outbreaks in the Arlington Health District as of Monday, with 548 cases related to an outbreak. There have been 13 outbreaks at long-term care facilities, two outbreaks at a congregate setting and three outbreaks in health care settings in Arlington. There have been 186 reported coronavirus cases in Arlington health care workers.

As new coronavirus cases continue to be reported daily, the Virginia Department of Health will study coronavirus antibodies in children and teens. The pediatric coronavirus disease serology study will take place in Northern Virginia in collaboration with Inova Health System.

According to a news release from Gov. Ralph Northam, an estimated 2.4 percent of adults in Virginia have antibodies to the coronavirus. The pediatric study will look at the proportion of children and teens with these antibodies.

Globally, more than 21.7 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 775,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Monday morning. In the United States, more than 5.4 million people have been infected and over 170,000 people have died from COVID-19.

The department of health breaks down the number of cases and deaths in Arlington by age, race and ethnicity.

The breakdown by age is as follows:

Arlington residents should take the following actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Also see ...

• No New Coronavirus Deaths, Northern Region Leads VA In New Cases
• How Coronavirus Affects VA, DC Kids: 5 Things To Know
• Most New Coronavirus Cases Reported In 1 Day Since May 29
• NoVA Study To Examine Coronavirus Antibodies In Kids, Teens
• Arlington Coronavirus Update: 18 Additional Cases, No New Deaths
• Fourth Straight Day With Fewer Than 1,000 Coronavirus Cases: VDH
• NoVA's Top Hospital Systems Launch 'Wear A Mask' Campaign