COVID-19 Community Update for April 28

Dear Residents,

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

The Latest

COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard

New COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has created an interactive dashboard that provides an overview of COVID-19 testing, cases and deaths, along with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity. To view Public Health's COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

Cases


As of April 28, there are 20,976 confirmed cases of COVID-19 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 56 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 37 in Palos Verdes Estates, 13 in Rolling Hills Estates and one in Rolling Hills. Countywide, 1,000 people have died.

According to the Department of Public Health, nine deaths have been reported in Rancho Palos Verdes. The City extends its deepest condolences to the families of these residents.

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

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The Journey

The Journey – A Conversation About Mental Health in New, Uncertain Times

Join Beach Cities Health District and South Bay Families Connected for The Journey – A Conversation About Mental Health in New, Uncertain Times” with professional surfer and Rancho Palos Verdes native Alex Gray and local clinician Kevin Sousa, MFT. The meeting will be held via a live stream on Thursday, April 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. Live stream meeting information will be directly emailed to registered participants. Register at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/60679fa998b8425890a328e65366c003
 
To learn more about the speakers, visit https://www.southbayfamiliesconnected.org/sbfc-virtual-events/alex-gray

COVID-19 Symptoms

New COVID-19 Symptoms Added to CDC List

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added the following six symptoms to its list of COVID-19 symptoms: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
 
These are in addition to previously known symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
 
When to Seek Medical Attention
 
If you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
 
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before medical help arrives.
 
For more information, visit cdc.gov/COVID19

LA County Seal

L.A. County to Develop Plans to Ease “Safer at Home” Restrictions, Rebuild Economy

Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Public Health, the Department of Health Services and other county departments to provide a report with details on measures needed to contain COVID-19 and prerequisites needed to relax the “Safer at Home” Order. The Chief Executive Office and Office of Emergency Management were also directed to develop a plan to engage the business community, nonprofits, city leaders and labor partners in any plans to relax restrictions of the Safer at Home directive. Both reports are due to back to the board within seven days.
 
Read the motion at: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145441.pdf
 
Additionally, the board voted to establish a framework to rebuild and revive the economy, including:

  • Creating an Economic Resiliency Task Force, comprised of business, industry, labor, and county and city leaders, to develop recommendations that leverage public-private partnerships to improve the economy, create jobs, and return to full employment
  • Utilizing County assets to promote neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and economic opportunity
  • Considering a permanent 501(c)3 County Fund for Los Angeles to raise private capital to support local businesses, employees, and underserved communities.
  • Developing a Los Angeles County Works initiative to support a return to full employment through  job training, subsidized employment opportunities, and youth employment programs
  • Facilitating a working group devoted to fostering innovative ideas and initiatives from County employees, businesses, and labor partners that can streamline contracting and identify cost-savings actions
  • Directing the Los Angeles County Office of Education to engage with state and federal Departments of Education and local school districts to create safe environments for youth that enable parents to return to work.
Read the motion at: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145446.pdf

L.A. County Will Send Vote-By-Mail Ballot to Every Voter 

 
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl to send a vote-by-mail ballot to all eligible L.A. County voters for all elections—starting with the general election this November.
 
The current “Safer At Home” public health order is set to expire May 15, 2020 but health officials have acknowledged that some form of social distancing will be needed for an extended period of time and that “Safer At Home” orders may be reenacted if deemed necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.  These issues could present challenges for the General Election, including possibly hampering the recruitment of election workers or making it difficult for in-person voting locations to meet capacity demands while ensuring social distancing.
 
The measure was passed unanimously Tuesday and will mean that the County of Los Angeles will send mail-in-ballots to every eligible voter in all elections starting with the November 3, 2020 General Election.
 
In addition, the Registrar-Recorder will take appropriate measures to align in-person voting options for the General Election with guidance from the Department of Public Health to ensure the safety of both voters and election workers.
 
Read the motion at: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145432.pdf

L.A. County Calls for Enhanced COVID-19 Protections for Skilled Nursing Homes

 
Today, the Board of Supervisors called for comprehensive measures that would strengthen protections for residents and staff at skilled nursing homes, among other congregate settings, who tend to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
 
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has found 312 institutional settings throughout the county with at least one confirmed case. As of April 27, 425 residents of institutional settings, such as skilled nursing homes, in LA County have died of COVID-19. They account for about 45 percent of LA County’s death toll from the pandemic.
 
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ motion called for working with Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health to consider several orders, guidelines and requirements to support the safe and sustained operation of skilled nursing facilities, including:
  • Facilitating expeditious testing for all staff and residents as quickly as possible;
  • Issuing standard protocols for skilled nursing homes to follow when they have a positive case of COVID-19;
  • Requiring adequate staff-to-patient ratios, as well as a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper training on COVID-19;
  • Banning retaliation against staff for working at multiple facilities, for advocating for PPEs as a condition of going to work, and for refusing to go to work;
  • Expediting pending licenses for certified nursing assistants;
  • Providing staff with additional pay, including overtime, until the COVID-19 crisis is over, as well as additional paid sick leave days so they can care for themselves or family members who may be infected;
  • Paying facilities an enhanced rate if they care for residents who have tested positive for COVID-19; and
  • Requiring skilled nursing homes to readmit patients once they are no longer sick, and keep them when they are mildly or moderately ill but do not require hospitalization to avoid overwhelming hospitals.

Read the full motion at: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145448.pdf

RPVtv City Talk

RPVtv’s “City Talk”


In the latest edition of RPVtv’s “City Talk” host Liz Brown Swanson has a virtual conversation with Mayor John Cruikshank about the City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the community, and other issues before the City Council, including Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget talks.

The episode will air daily on Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38 and can be viewed on RPVtv's YouTube channel at youtu.be/iiubA41L67U

Cover Up, LA County

How to Cover Up Properly

Under the Safer at Home order, you must wear a cloth face covering anytime you're in close proximity to people outside of your household: like at the market, pharmacy, your essential job and on public transportation. Here are some tips for properly wearing and caring for your face covering.

  • Before putting on face covers, wash or sanitize your hands.
  • When putting on face covers, make sure it fully covers your nose and mouth.
  • While wearing face covers, avoid touching any part of your face.
  • While wearing face covers, do not pull down at any time.
  • Before taking off face covers, wash or sanitize your hands.
  • When done using face covers, fold OR store in a paper bag.
  • Machine wash face covers daily.
  • Discard face covers that do not cover nose/mouth OR have holes/tears.
  • Help children properly remove face covers.
  • And remember, cloth face coverings are NOT substitutes for staying home, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining physical distance.
Covered California

Now Available: Special Enrollment Period for Health Care Coverage due to COVID-19

Have you lost your health insurance due to COVID-19? If you've recently lost your coverage or will soon lose it, Covered California has issued a special-enrollment period for those impacted by income changes, reduced hours or lay off due to COVID-19. 
 
If the following circumstances apply to you, you may be eligible for health care coverage through Covered CA:

  • You've lost Medi-Cal coverage
  • You've lost your employer-sponsored coverage
  • Your COBRA coverage is exhausted 
  • You are no longer eligible for student health coverage

 To learn if you're eligible, visit apply.coveredca.com To apply, you may apply online or call a Covered CA Certified Insurance Agent or Navigator for free and confidential enrollment help.
 
Those without access to the Internet can call Covered CA's Service Center at 1-800-300-1506 for assistance with determining eligibility and/or applying for health care coverage.
 
If you're not eligible for Covered CA health coverage, you may be eligible for health insurance through L.A. County's My Health LA (MHLA). MHLA is a no-cost health care program for individuals or families who do not have and cannot get health insurance. For assistance over the phone with MHLA, call 1-844-744-6452 from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday through Friday).

Local Volunteer Match

Local Volunteer Match


Join PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid’s local volunteer match effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 40 volunteers have been linked with 100 isolated seniors needing help with grocery shopping and other errands.

If you're a parent, student or graduate of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District interested in participating in the volunteer match program, or an older resident needing support, contact Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net.

Find out more ways to help your community during the COVID-19 crisis by visiting the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Closure Information


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.

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 the 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 physical distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

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30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

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