Arlington coronavirus case update, plus what’s open and where to get tested

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Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order on July 2 requiring anyone above the age of 10 to wear masks in businesses and other public spaces.

The order also restricts outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 people. The order applies only to counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley extended Tarrant County’s own mask mandate on Aug. 25, requiring residents to wear masks in businesses and at outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people.

The county order is in effect until Nov. 30. It will be enforced by cities, and businesses that don’t comply could face charges up to $1,000.

Here’s more information on how the coronavirus has affected Arlington.

City/County updates

Arlington has a free drive-through testing center open from Wednesday through Saturday in the parking lot at 1624 New York Ave. No appointment is required.

A new free cheek swab drive-through testing center opened on Nov. 9 at Tarrant County College’s southeast campus. The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Coronavirus cases

The first death in the region to be linked to the coronavirus was Arlington resident Pat James, and additional cases were found at the retirement home where he lived.

The University of Texas at Arlington has had 230 total positive coronavirus cases since March, and 209 positive cases since school began on Aug. 26.

Arlington ISD started in-person classes on Sept. 28 using a hybrid model. Since then, there have been a total of 351 positive COVID-19 case. This week there are 57 active cases, 27 staff and 30 students.

Education

Arlington ISD started the school year on Aug. 17 virtually while in-person classes began on Sept. 28.

Here is how the district has changed its culinary arts program in preparation for when students return for in-person classes.

The district has established a student counseling services hotline. Students can call 682-867-9416 to be connected with school counselors to discuss stress, anxiety or other issues. It will be open for calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Parents can call 682-867-9417 to be connected with district staff members who will assist them in navigating resources related to food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

UT Arlington is already starting to prepare for the spring 2021 semester, which includes the possibility of modeling classes for the spring on the fall 2020 structure (in-person, online and a hybrid format).

What’s open or closed

• All Arlington parks and recreation centers are open and requiring masks on all premises. For more info on what is open at the parks and what the restrictions are, check the city’s website
• Arlington’s Levitt Pavilion is back to hosting in-person concerts, before they were streaming live concerts over Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday nights.
• Arlington Animal Services has reopened it’s main lobby to 75% capacity and appointments are no longer needed. Field operations have returned to normal as well.
• All Arlington Public Library branches are open at limited capacity. The downtown location has finally reopened as well.
• Arlington Music Hall has reopened, with shows on the schedule for November. View its website for details.
• The Texas Rangers season began in July, after a deal was struck. The XFL has ended its first season since 2000. The Mexican National Team will not return to AT&T Stadium for its U.S. tour.
• Texas Live’s Live Arena and Arlington Backyard are back open.
• Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington reopened June 22 with restrictions in place.
• Dozens of churches and other places of worship have canceled in-person meetings and many live stream services. Check with your place of worship.
• Mission Arlington has seen demand skyrocket by 364% this year in relation to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
• The River Legacy Foundation has cancelled its fall festival.
• Texas Christkindl Market will be virtual this year. Usually the market sets up shop in Arlington’s entertainment district, but will now be online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Iconic Arlington restaurant Al’s Hamburgers is back and ready to serve customers after it had to delay its reopening due to the pandemic.

Resources and services

• Tarrant County coronavirus information hotline: 817-248-6299 (business hours only).
• 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, helps connects Texans to services such as food, health services and housing.
• The City of Arlington has a coronavirus microsite.
• The City of Arlington Water Utilities department has temporarily halted all disconnections of water service.
• Atmos Energy has temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections to assist with the difficulties that come with the coronavirus outbreak.

Preventive measures

To avoid contracting COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.

The CDC also recommends that you avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid being in close contact with those who are sick.