COVID-19 Community Update for April 14

Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

Town Hall

COVID-19 Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting April 16

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi is holding a virtual town hall meeting with Congressman Ted Lieu and State Senator Ben Allen this Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. via Facebook Live to discuss issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including federal and state programs to help those in need. Visit Assemblymember Muratsuchi’s Facebook page to tune in at facebook.com/Muratsuchi


Cases


As of April 14, there are 10,047 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice physical distancing. The total includes 44 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 36 in Palos Verdes Estates and 11 in Rolling Hills Estates. Countywide, 360 people have died.

To date, the City is aware of the deaths of two residents who reportedly contracted the novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest condolences to the residents’ families and ask for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

Belmont Village on Crestridge Road is included on the county’s list of long-term care facilities with at least one resident who developed symptoms while in the facility and tested positive for COVID-19.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.


Interactive South Bay Cities COVID-19 Dashboard Now Available


An interactive COVID-19 case dashboard has been developed for the South Bay cities. The dashboard is hosted by the City of Torrance and reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. View the live dashboard at bit.ly/2XB1fv1

Takeout Tuesday

It’s Takeout Tuesday!


The community is encouraged to join in the “Takeout Tuesdays and Takeout Thursdays” initiative launched by the Peninsula cities and the PVP Chamber of Commerce by posting on social media and inviting friends and neighbors to order takeout, using Tuesdays and Thursdays as a special reminder.

Residents are asked to show their support by ordering takeout or delivery, not only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on a regular basis throughout the coronavirus restrictions.

Check the Open for Business page on the City website for a list of local restaurants offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup.

LAUSD Schools to Remain Closed for Remainder of School Year


On Monday, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner announced that all LAUSD schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year and courses through the summer will continue online. Watch Superintendent Beutner’s announcement at: https://achieve.lausd.net/latestnews

Governor Newsom Outlines 6 Critical Indicators the State will Consider Before Modifying the Stay-at-Home Order


Governor Gavin Newsom today unveiled six key indicators that will guide California’s thinking for when and how to modify the stay-at-home and other orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor noted that the progress in flattening the curve, increased preparedness of our health care delivery system and the effects of other COVID-19 interventions have yielded positive results. However, these actions have also impacted the economy, poverty and overall health care in California. Any consideration of modifying the stay-at-home order must be done using a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework. 

Until we build immunity, our actions will be aligned to achieve the following: 

  • Ensure our ability to care for the sick within our hospitals; 
  • Prevent infection in people who are at high risk for severe disease; 
  • Build the capacity to protect the health and well-being of the public; and 
  • Reduce social, emotional and economic disruptions
California’s six indicators for modifying the stay-at-home order are: 
  • The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed; 
  • The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19; 
  • The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges; 
  • The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand; 
  • The ability for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and 
  • The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.

The Governor said there is not a precise timeline for modifying the stay-at-home order, but that these six indicators will serve as the framework for making that decision. He also noted that things will look different as California makes modifications. For example, restaurants will have fewer tables and classrooms will be reconfigured.

Board of Supervisors Approves Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Expands Moratorium on Evictions Countywide

 
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to create an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for residents struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. The program would provide up to $1,000 per month for three months to renters who have lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic.
 
The Board of Supervisors has implemented a rent freeze and eviction moratorium to prevent families from losing their homes during this epidemic. However, renters will still need to pay back rent owed in the months after the crisis. Rent assistance through the proposed program would not need to be paid back and could prevent families from falling into even worse economic hardship.

The number of families that would be helped by the program would depend on the level of funding. Funding for the program would come from the second round of funding Los Angeles County expects to receive from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Additional funding could come from philanthropy and private sources.
 
A plan to implement the new program is due back to the Board of Supervisors in 30 days.
 
Read the full motion at file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145146.pdf
 
The Board of Supervisors also adopted a motion today expanding its moratorium on evictions of residential and commercial tenants to areas of the county that have not enacted their own measures.
 
Read the full motion at http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145198.pdf

County Launches New Small Business Recovery Loan Program


In response to small businesses affected by COVID-19, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has created the Small Business Recovery Loan Program, administered by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA).

The Small Business Recovery Loan Program provides easy to access, timely, and sufficient financial relief to small businesses that are most impacted by an acute downturn in revenue caused by an unforeseen emergency outside their immediate control. This program will ensure businesses can keep their employees and businesses afloat during this time of economic hardship and prevent a chain reaction of reduced spending, inability to pay bills, job losses, or even closure.

The loans will be made available through the County’s existing Economic Development Administration (EDA) Loan fund as the primary source of funding.  Any for-profit business with 25 or fewer employees located within the unincorporated Los Angeles County or city participating in the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is eligible. Loan proceeds may be used for working capital, including payroll or rent. The maximum loan amount is $20,000 with a term of five (5) years, and the minimum interest rate is authorized by the EDA (4%) or Wall Street Journal Prime (75%), whichever is lower. Principal and interest will be deferred up to 12 months. Loans may be prepaid, in part or in whole, at any time without penalty. There is no loan origination fee and no collateral is needed to secure the loan.

To obtain an application, visit bizrecoveryloans.lacda.org. Additional resources for small businesses can be found at: https://dcba.lacounty.gov. For more information on the Small Business Recovery Loan Program, please contact Carolina Romo, Supervisor at LACDA, at (626) 296-6298 or by email at BizRecovery@lacda.org. 

Please note that this program is separate from the local CDBG-funded small business loan program approved by the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council on April 7. Details of that program are forthcoming.

Do Your Part

Essential Businesses Have Until April 15 to Provide Workers with Face Coverings and Post Physical Distancing Plans


As part of the revised “Safer at Home” Order, essential businesses are required to provide cloth face coverings for all of their employees to wear while performing duties that involve contact with other employees and/or the public, and to post their physical distancing plans. The order allows essential businesses to implement the new measures by no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 15. The public is also required to wear a face covering to enter essential businesses.

City Staff reporting to work are considered essential employees and measures are in place consistent with the latest orders. 

As a reminder, the “Safer at Home” Order was extended to May 15. Accordingly, all City closures and event cancellations are extended through this date.

Read the updated order at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/HOO_Safer-at-Home-Order-for-Control-of-COVID_04102020.pdf

Dial-A-Ride

PVP Transit Expands Dial-A-Ride Service


The Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority is now offering a free, 24/7 emergency taxi service for Peninsula residents to assist those in need of transportation. The service is extended to Peninsula seniors (ages 62+) and/or persons with disabilities who are not members of the existing Dial-A-Ride program. Trips can be taken anywhere on the Peninsula for any trip purpose and to surrounding cities for medical trips only. Please contact PVP Transit to schedule a taxi service ride at 310-965-5831 and reference account #12552.


Parks and Nature Preserve Closed

Reminder: Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserve CLOSED


The City would like to remind residents that all City parks, beaches and open space areas, including the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, remain closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

City staff, Park Rangers and law enforcement are monitoring these areas.

These closures follow county and state guidance, along with similar closures by other cities, and were put in place March 23 after a weekend that saw a high volume of visitors despite the “Safer at Home” Order and physical distancing guidelines.

Please know that these closures are temporary. The more we all stay home except for essential needs and stick to walking in our neighborhoods, the sooner we will get through this and reopen the open space areas.

We’re all in this together, RPV. We will get through this together and resume our routines, but we need everyone to do their part to get us through sooner.

For a full list of closures, visit: bit.ly/2UexWwo

Other Closures


For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Restaurants

Open for Business


Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

How You Can Help

Med Supply Graphic

Personal Protective Equipment Needed


Want to help our nurses, doctors and health care workers? If you want to donate/know of businesses that may be able to help with personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, N95 face masks, face shields and other supplies, email medsupply@dhs.lacounty.gov

To find out how you can support local hospitals, visit the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Local Volunteer Match


PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 

Neighborhood Watch


For 28 years, residents and Block Captains have worked together through RPV Neighborhood Watch to build safe and cohesive neighborhoods. Working cooperatively between neighbors and law enforcement has resulted in supportive neighbors who help each other when necessary. Those residents or blocks who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com.

Senior Support


Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station’s non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.

California Health Corps


Health care professionals with an active license, public health professionals, medical retirees, medical and nursing students, or members of medical disaster response teams in California are all encouraged to join the new California Health Corps.
Interested medical and health care professionals are encouraged to visit healthcorps.ca.gov for more information and to register for the California Health Corps.

Medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, behavioral health scientists, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistants, as well as certified nursing assistants are encouraged to step up and meet this moment to help California respond to the outbreak.


Make a Donation


Los Angeles County officials encourage members of the public who want to help those in the community experiencing hardships to make monetary contributions to reputable non-profit organizations or relief funds supporting COVID-19 disaster efforts. Find a list of organizations and relief funds on the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

City Hall Closed


As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least May 15, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov. 

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43. 

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory

Resources


Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” City listervs at rpvca.gov/notify

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

  • Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
  • Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
  • Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.

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30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

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