Jump In COVID Testing, Delays Lift Arlington Into 'Medium' Category

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County’s climb into the “medium” community level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 metric this week was likely due in part to an increase in the number of residents getting tested, according to Arlington County Public Health.

The county saw a 16-percent increase in the number of Arlington residents getting tested for COVID-19 compared to the previous week, “which is likely related to the good preparation by residents before beginning travel for spring break and the approaching religious holidays,” the department said in a statement this week.

Other factors that likely contributed to the increase in the weekly COVID-19 case rate in Arlington include a rise in transmission across Northern Virginia since March and a delay in the reporting of test results from before March, data that is still getting added to weekly case numbers, according to county health officials.

Arlington County was the only jurisdiction in Northern Virginia to move into the "medium" COVID-19 community level this week. All other jurisdictions in the region remained in the "low" COVID-19 community level category.

The latest weekly rate of 206 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in population lifted Arlington above the 200 mark, which is one of the thresholds between "low" and "medium" on the CDC's COVID-19 community level metric.

On Feb. 25, the CDC issued new guidance — low, medium and high infection levels — for how it monitors COVID-19's impact on communities. Across the nation, 19 communities are currently in the high category, while Arlington is one of only 123 communities in the medium category. Nearly 3,100 communities in the U.S. remain in the low category.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 Conditions Elevate Arlington Into 'Medium' Level

The CDC metric is composed of three elements: the total number of new reported cases in an area, hospital beds being used, and COVID-19 hospital admissions. There was no significant rise in the two hospital measurements. The CDC reported a rise in the total case rate for the week, "which on the face of it would warrant the increase from low to medium," health officials said.

"Fortunately, our Washington, DC metropolitan area hospital systems have the capacity to respond should there be a need due to COVID-19, especially because our area enjoys high rates of vaccination among those 5 and older," Arlington County Public Health said in the statement.

With residents observing religious holidays in April and participating in spring break activities, health officials are recommending they take measures to reduce a spring surge in COVID-19 cases. A layered prevention strategy includes testing, vaccination, wearing a mask when appropriate, and following CDC isolation and quarantine guidance.

Residents should consider getting tested for COVID-19 before and after traveling or when gathering with people at high risk for severe disease. Among the many test sites in Arlington are the county's five Curative testing kiosks. Residents can visit the VDH testing locator to find other test sites and order their second set of free at-home tests from the federal government.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster shot, residents can visit vaccines.gov, walk-in to one of the county’s clinics, or call the county's COVID-19 hotline at 703-228-7999.