Arlington joins regional effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 New guidance for gyms, fitness centers, bars and movie theaters starts Dec. 16.Town officials continue to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, daily and coordinate regionally to make the best decisions for the safety of all our residents. Pointing to the town's public Covid-19 dashboard, a town notice says Arlington case counts have grown at an alarming rate the past two months, with 66 cases in October, 181 cases in November, and 169 cases as of Dec. 13. The City of Boston also reports that the percentage of occupied adult non-surge ICU beds at Boston hospitals is at 90 percent as of Dec. 10. Because of this increase, with more expected, the Town of Arlington joins the City of Boston and issues new guidance to help curb the spread of Covid-19."The state's reopening plan was developed with consideration to urban and suburban areas," said Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine in a Dec. 14 email. "We would prefer the state issue these advisories, but understand they may be bound by other pressures. In absence of statewide advisories, Arlington, as a dense suburb, will work with our regional neighbors to develop guidance to reduce the spread of the virus."