Coronavirus continues to spread in Arlington, as the rate of increase continues to rise steadily.
Over the weekend an additional 135 COVID-19 cases were reported, including 62 new cases on Sunday, Arlington’s highest one-day tally so far. There are now 1,139 known cases in Arlington, plus 194 hospitalizations, 47 deaths and 12 outbreaks, according to the latest Virginia Dept. of Health data.
That’s an increase of five deaths and one additional outbreak — in a long-term care facility — since Friday.
Of Arlington’s 1,139 cases, 263 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care centers, congregate settings and healthcare facilities, according to VDH. Healthcare workers account for 44 local cases.
While Arlington County has repeatedly declined ARLnow’s requests for additional information on the outbreaks, other jurisdictions have been reporting a preponderance of deaths involving senior care centers.
On Friday, the City of Alexandria revealed that 58% of COVID-19 deaths in the city were associated with long-term care facilities, higher than the statewide average of 54%. In Illinois, nursing homes now account for 44% of coronavirus deaths, according to WBEZ.
Last week ARLnow reported that one long-term care center in Virginia Square accounted for 7 deaths, according to information provided to families. Another such facility, Regency Care of Arlington in the Pentagon City area, also has suffered several deaths, according to tipsters.
“A nurse there told me there are over 30 positive resident cases, multiple deaths and their administration staff are not telling families about staff cases,” one family member tells ARLnow.
Statewide in Virginia, there are now 19,492 reported COVID-19 cases, 2,700 hospitalizations, 684 deaths and 122,788 tests administered.
Officials, meanwhile, are urging residents to keep taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus, including continued social distancing, frequent handwashing, and wearing face coverings when out of the house.
Facemasks are critical to slowing the spread of COVID19. When you have to be in public, mask up, keep a six-foot distance from others, and slow the spread! pic.twitter.com/XnD7m2oFa4
— Adam Ebbin (@AdamEbbin) May 1, 2020