Arlington Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County is taking a number of steps to ensure the health and safety of its employees and the community in response to the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. While essential government services continue, some programs and services will be curtailed or canceled.

Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey called the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Proposal County Manager Mark Schwartz submitted in February "no longer very relevant" in light of the current coronavirus crisis at a Saturday, March 21 Board meeting. Schwartz disagreed and updated Board members on budget matters impacted by the coronavirus. Read More: Arlington County Rethinks FY2021 Budget Due To Coronavirus

The Fairfax County Health Department is asking individuals who attended a church service in Bailey's Crossroads to self-quarantine for 14 days after a 40-year-old man tested positive for the new coronavirus. Read More: NoVa Churchgoers Warned To Self-Quarantine Over Coronavirus

George Mason University learned Thursday night, March 20, that one of its students who attended classes in Arlington tested positive for the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. In response to the coronavirus, GMU has already canceled events, moved classes online, and is promoting telework wherever possible. Read More: GMU Student At Arlington Campus Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Arlington County has asked restaurants to voluntarily close their doors or switch to delivery and carryout only in response to the coronavirus, since it does not have the authority to order the restaurants to do so. Many restaurants have closed or are open only for delivery or carryout. In the meantime, health officials continue to inspect food service establishments across the county. Read More: Restaurant Inspections Continue Despite Coronavirus Closures

Arlington's drive-thru coronavirus test sample collection site processed 6o samples from county residents on its first day, which is more than had been anticipated. The coronavirus sample collection site was put together over the last week as a joint effort of VHC and the Arlington County Public Health, Police, Fire and Environmental Services departments, and the sheriff's office. It began collecting samples at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18. Read More: Arlington Coronavirus Test Sample Collection Site Starts Work

With the number of new coronavirus cases increasing nationwide, medical experts warn that the country is facing a dangerous situation of too few hospital beds. The Northern Virginia region is projected to run out of hospital beds for patients if the number of infected people reaches about a thousand. Virginia has recorded 77 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, with nearly 40 of those in the Northern Virginia region. Read More: Are NoVa Hospitals Prepared For Coronavirus Surge?

County Manager Mark Schwartz signed a Declaration of Local Emergency, which went into effect on Friday, March 13, and was ratified by the Arlington County Board on Saturday. The declaration will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

“We understand that this will disrupt the lives our residents for many weeks to come, and we are asking for our community’s help as we meet these evolving circumstances,” said Board Chair Libby Garvey, in a release. “This declaration will allow us to respond and adapt in the quickest way possible to keep our community healthy and safe.”

By declaring an emergency, the County will be able to request reimbursements for coronavirus-related costs through Virginia to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The County will continue to provide trash and recycling services as normal, public safety services and critical programs like access to food stamps and housing grants. In addition, it will continue many of its other functions, including permit, zoning and inspection services, along with maintenance for water treatment, streetlights, trails, and parks. However, sewer relining projects, hazardous waste and electronic waste drop-off services are suspended. Mulch delivery will continue.

“Arlington County’s 3,900 employees will continue working and serving the community throughout this emergency, delivering essential services that are critical for the health and well-being of our community,” said Schwartz. “We are committed to helping all Arlingtonians through this difficult period.”

The County confirmed it second presumptive positive case of COVID-19 on Thursday, March 12. The individual is identified as an associate of Christ Church Georgetown. On March 9, a man identifying himself as the rector of the church in Washington, D.C., received a presumptive positive diagnosis. D.C. health officials recommended that anyone who attended services at Christ Church Georgetown on Feb. 24 or between Feb. 28 and March 3, begin self-quarantining themselves. Read More: 2nd Confirmed Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Case In Arlington

Arlington Public Schools are closed starting Monday, March 16. The announcement was made Friday in a joint statement from APS interim Superintendent Cintia Z. Johnson and Peter J. Noonan, superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools. Schools will remain closed through spring break.

Also on Monday, APS students will be able to access grab-and-go meals from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., outside the buildings at the following locations:

• Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road
• Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School, 3500 S. 23rd Street

These meals will be free to any child age 2-18. The meals will not be given to a parent who does not have a child with them. A lunch will be provided for the day of pickup along with a breakfast to take home for the following day.

Many non-urgent court cases before the 17th Judicial District Court may be continued to a later date due to the new coronavirus, under new guidance released Thursday, March 12, by the Commonweath's Attorney's Office for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. Read More: Some Court Cases May Be Rescheduled Due To Coronavirus

Central Library and the Columbia Pike Branch remain open on their regular schedule for Wi-Fi and public PC use for adults and students. Self-service access to adult materials will remain available. All other library locations and meeting rooms will be closed. In addition, all events and programs have been canceled.

Effective Monday, March 16, at noon, all Department of Parks and Recreations programs and facilities are canceled or closed, with these exceptions:

• All parks and trails are open.
• Arlington Mill,  Langston-Brown, Thomas Jefferson, Walter Reed and Fairlington Community Centers remain open, with limited activity and Wi-Fi access available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Effective Monday, March 16, ART will provide service on a Saturday schedule with changes or modifications for these routes 42, 87, 45, and 43. STAR service will provide normal service. To learn more, call 703-228-RIDE (3447) or check the Arlington Transit website. Metro also has service changes. Check the WMATA website.

County Board meetings and upcoming work sessions are continuing as scheduled. The public is encouraged to view these meetings online. Many commission meetings are continuing; others may be postponed or canceled. Details on the website.

Health officials urge residents to take these steps to avoid the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.

COVID-19 Fast Facts

• Coronavirus refers to a family of different viruses. For instance, the common cold is a coronavirus. So is SARS. COVID-19, however, is a new strain.
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can spread between people and animals.
• Symptoms include a fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
• COVID-19 can spread between people who are about 6 feet apart from each other and through respiratory droplets (produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes), the CDC says.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know