;UPDATED Dec. 31: The Dec. 31 Arlington update shows 3,150 cases of Covid-19 in town, an increase of 64 since Dec. 30 and 380 since Dec. 20. Deaths rose one on Dec. 23, to 89, just two since May. 

Patch: Lexington, Burlington delay reopening Monday

Arlington saw a gradual increase in its coronavirus figures in recent weeks, Patch reported Dec. 17. The town reported a positive test rate of 2.34 percent, up from 2.01 percent last week and 1.6 percent the week before. Massachusetts reported a statewide rate of 5.5 percent, increasing slightly from the previous week's 5.1 percent.

Since May 19, when cases rose to 1,868, until July 6, when the count was 1,875, Arlington has had its longest periods with few increases since the pandemic hit Arlington and YourArlington began reporting numbers almost daily, on March 6, 2020. 

Arlington weighing proof-of-vaccination policy

A proof-of-vaccination policy similar to the one announced in Boston on Monday could be coming to Arlington, YourArlington partner Patch reports. Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine praised Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for taking the lead on such a requirement. Wu said Dec. 20. that proof of vaccination will be required to enter certain indoor spaces, including restaurants, gyms, nightclubs and theaters, starting Jan. 15.

"The virus doesn't recognize municipal boundaries and that is why a regional approach is best," Chapdelaine wrote in an email. "Arlington will be considering adoption of a policy like the one being announced today, and we'll be working with our Board of Health to finalize a decision in the weeks ahead."

Read more on Patch >> 

See the percentage of those vaccinated in Arlington (one dose and both shots):

Data: Mass. Dept. of Public Health

 See daily counts going back to March 2020 here, under cumulative cases) >>

See all numbers by clicking on View more tables >> 

Here's an explanation about how to read these numbers >> 

 The age breakdown of cases reported through Dec. 31:

3,450 doses administered in town

Director of Health & Human Services Christine Bongiorno announced Dec. 17  that the department has administered more than 3,450 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in recent clinics to children ages 5 to 11.

According to Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the percentage of Arlington children fully vaccinated in this age group is 83 percent. Additionally, in the last month, the Health Department administered 1,530 Moderna booster shots to those ages 18 and over in local clinics and homebound visits. These efforts bring the Town’s overall percentage of fully vaccinated residents to 82 percent.

“I’m pleased with the turnout of children being vaccinated and adults receiving their booster these past few weeks,” said Bongiorno in a town news release. “However, we’d like to see everyone vaccinated and getting their booster shots. With indoor holiday gatherings upon us we are already seeing cases rising again and unvaccinated individuals put themselves at risk of serious health issues and even death. Vaccines help prevent the worst effects of Covid.”

Arlington Covid-19 case counts shot up in November to 195 reported cases, and in the first two weeks of December, 167 confirmed cases have already been reported. Similar increases have been seen across the state. 

People age 5 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can get vaccinated against Covid-19. People ages 5-17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine. People age 18 and older can get any vaccine. Boosters are recommend for adults 16 years and older and at least six month after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get their booster two months after their primary dose. The vaccine is safe and effective. You don't need an ID or insurance to get it. Book an appointment on vaxfinder.mass.gov.  Local options including CVS and Walgreens.

Additional clinics will be announced in the coming weeks when vaccine doses are provided to the town.

First-dose Covid clinic held for 5- to 11-year-olds

Arlington Health and Human Services was the host for a first-dose Covid-19 vaccination clinic for  5- to 11-year-olds, held Nov. 16.

These appointments are only for children who have not already received their first-dose vaccination.

Dress children in short sleeves. The vaccinator will need to reach their upper arm.

Parking: The clinic was held in the Red Gym at the Arlington High School from 2 to 8 p.m. Please park in the lot at the end of Mill Brook Drive off of Mill Street. You will enter the school through the temporary main entrance off of the parking lot.

Accounting for some deaths

The Boston Globe has reported that Ellen McDonald, a guardian to Norma Ricci, 92, said her friend’s assisted-living residence, Sunrise of Arlington, told her April 1 that a nurse who worked on Ricci’s floor had been infected. A week later, McDonald was told Ricci was rushed to Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, with no mention of coronavirus.

The next day, Mount Auburn called to say Ricci had Covid-19. McDonald donned full protective garb to visit her friend on Easter. Ricci died April 15, according to a DeVito Funeral Home notice, which lacks an obituary. 

McDonald told the Globe that Sunrise nurses told her many residents were coughing and some staffers had stopped coming to work, without official word from management. In a statement, Sunrise Senior Living told The Globe that nine residents of its Arlington facility have died and 25 have tested positive. The statement said Sunrise has regularly updated residents and families by phone and e-mail. It quoted a regional vice president, Thomas Kessler, as saying, “Communication has always been a source of pride at Sunrise of Arlington.”

10th local death identified

Joyce Dodge, a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living, Arlington, before she was taken to Mount Auburn Hospital last Christmas, tested positive and died there Jan. 8, according to a member of the family. There is no obituary.

9th local death identified

Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents since early March, YourArlington has identified an ninth from obituaries. A listing at Boston.com shows  Helen T. Metros died Dec. 12 from the virus in Pittsfield.

8th local death identified

Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents since early March, YourArlington has identified an eighth from obituaries. A listing at Boston.com shows Vincent A. Aliberti died July 12 from the virus.

6th, 7th local deaths identified

Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents, YourArlington has identified a sixth and seventh from obituaries. Listings at Boston.com show that Joan M. Mockel and Danile F. Morrison recently succumbed to the virus.

A window at Sunrise in March 2020. / Marjorie Howard 

5th local death identified

Among the 19 Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents, YourArlington has identified a fifth, Vincie Teresa DeRose (Militello), as reported by the Gloucester Times. 

The fourth was Alfred "Fred" Iannacone. YourArlington reported a third death, occurring April 14 at Sunrise Assisted Living. A source confirmed the virus victim was Theodore S. Wayne. Since the end of March, two others have died in town from coronavirus: A Globe death notice identifies the first as James K. Power on March 30. A second death here was reported March 31, without details. 

Town issues "Wear A Face Covering in Public" advisory; continue to heed state’s stay-at-home advisory. Only run essential errands.
In addition to the current Stay at Home advisory by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, starting immediately, the Town of Arlington is issuing a townwide advisory that all residents wear a face covering when in public.

This advisory applies to anyone age 2 or older when in any public indoor or outdoor space. Indoor public spaces include stores and common areas in multi-unit homes. Outdoor areas include sidewalks, parks, trails, and the bike path. All persons including joggers and cyclists must comply.

This ongoing town statement continues: "We continue to believe this number may provide a false sense of security to residents as numbers in the region and across the state increase at a rapid rate. Public health officials remind all residents, regardless of age, to stay at home and away from anyone who does not live in your house, including relatives. If you have to go out to conduct a necessary errand, like grocery shopping, picking up medication, or checking in on a neighbor who may need assistance, it is crucial you practice social distancing and keep 6 feet away from others."

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance information: The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now accepting applications; this program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a Covid-19 related reason, but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits. This includes the self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others. Individuals can review eligibility scenarios here and apply for PUA here.

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings when in public: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Wearing a cloth face covering is not a substitute for social distancing, but an extra measure while you are running essential errands to minimize the spread of the virus. The CDC provides instructions on how to make your own cloth face covering.

For the national picture, see this U.S. map showing numbers from all counties >>

The town is also accepting donations of cloth face coverings, to local seniors, as well as PPE equipment for first responders and healthcare professionals.

List of businesses currently open in Arlington: The listings will be updated at least once daily. Please contact businesses directly before placing and order or going to their establishment to confirm that they are open, as the information on this list is subject to change.  See the list here >>

Additional resources for businesses and nonprofits may be found on the Business & Nonprofit Resourcepage. but should not comngregate in groups. 

Tracking Covid-19 via Johns Hopkins site

September through October: Town Covid tracking

June through August: Town Covid-19 tracking

May 1 through 31: Town Covid-19 tracking

April 1 through 30: Town Covid-19 tracking

March 1 through 31: Town Covid-19 tracking

Feb. 1 through 28: Town Covid-19 tracking

Dec. 1 through 30, 2020: Town Covid-19 tracking

Feb. 28-March 6, 2020: Coronavirus risk remains low in town, health office says in 2nd update

This news announcement was published Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, and updated Dec. 31. The orginal copy was written by Joan Roman, town webmaster, with editing and additions by Bob Sprague. Patch reports were included.