Arlington Coronavirus Update: Town Sees 2 Deaths

ARLINGTON, MA — There are currently 20 positive cases of the coronavirus in Arlington, according to updated numbers released by the town Tuesday. During Monday's Select Board meeting, held remotely, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine said a 68-year-old man died from the virus. Town officials said Tuesday they have been notified of a second death due to complications from the coronavirus.

The public can expect the number of positive cases to rise across the state and at home as more testing becomes available, health officials said. The Massachusetts case count grew to 6,620 on Tuesday, including 89 deaths. Thirty-three people died over the last 24 hours, the biggest one-day jump the state has seen since the beginning of the outbreak.

The town has received several complaints about people congregating in parks and on the Minuteman Bikeway, officials said. The Health Department urged parents and guardians to talk to their children about congregating with friends.

In the coming days, pedestrian crossings on Mass. Ave. and Broadway in Arlington will become automatic. Signs will be placed by crossings when the change has been made. When the change is made, pedestrians will no longer need to press the button and can just wait for the light to change. Other signals around town will follow suit once the Mass. Ave. and Broadway crossings are changed.

Other updates on the new coronavirus in Arlington, according to the town website:

Practice Social Distancing / Only Conduct Essential Errands. It is imperative that everyone regardless of age, stay at home and away from non-family contacts. 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 (keep 6 feet away from others).

Do Your Part. What we do today, and in the coming weeks, will impact the future. Your choices matter. Social distancing works. As difficult as it is to social distance, we all have to do our part and work together to keep our neighbors healthy and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system and their workers.

6 Feet at 6PM. Connect as a community, visually and virtually, each evening at 6pm.6 Feet at 6PM is a community initiative where every evening at 6:00 p.m. Arlington residents connect safety (more than 6 feet apart). Go out on your porch or look out your apartment window and wave to neighbors. Check in via email, phone, Google Hangouts, Zoom, or otherwise engage online. The point is to check in with each other at a safe distance – 6 Feet at 6PM - to make sure we are all OK as a community. We'd love to see examples in your neighborhood; spread the word, share photos and video on social media with the hashtag #Arlington6At6.