(Updated at noon) For the second time since March 2020, no new coronavirus cases were reported in Arlington County over the past 24 hours.
The county’s cumulative case count remained at 15,272 this morning, according to Virginia Dept. of Health data. The last time there were zero new cases in a given day was in July 2020, during last summer’s lull.
The seven-day trailing total of new cases in Arlington dropped to 33 today, another new low point since the outset of the pandemic.
Arlington’s neighbor to the south, the City of Alexandria, also had no new reported cases today, according to VDH.
In another positive sign, the test positivity rate in Arlington has been falling rapidly. The seven-day moving average reached 1.5% today, down from nearly 5% on April 1.
Across the river yesterday, D.C. joined Virginia and Maryland in following Centers for Disease Control guidance and dropping its mask mandate for those who are fully vaccinated.
The updated mask rules in Virginia, per a summary from Arlington County, are as follows.
On Friday, May 14, Governor Northam announced the following, based on the recent CDC recommendation; increasing vaccination rates among Virginians; and dramatically declining COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and positive tests:
- Masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals in most indoor settings (see Executive Order 72 for exceptions).
- Anyone who is not yet vaccinated is strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
- Employees who work in certain business sectors–including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment–must continue to wear masks unless fully vaccinated, consistent with CDC guidelines.
- Masks continue to be required in K-12 settings, given low rates of vaccination among children.
- Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments if they choose to.
- Other exceptions include public transit, health care facilities, and congregate settings.
Those 12+ years of age who are not yet vaccinated can find a county-run clinic here.