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

As of March 17, 2020, there are 144 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County. One person has died. Although there are currently no confirmed cases in the City, the public should not think one location is safer than another.
 
For a list of cases broken down by city, visit: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=2271
 
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.

City Council Proclaims a Local Emergency

At a special meeting tonight, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council proclaimed a local emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19, giving the City additional powers to coordinate local efforts and procure resources to effectively address the emergency as needed.

The text of the proclamation is available on the City website at: bit.ly/2IRjDqU

Tonight’s action comes after the County of Los Angeles issued an order calling for the closure of all clubs, theaters, entertainment centers, and fitness centers; permitting restaurants to serve takeout or delivery food only; and prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people.

Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new guidelines recommending that all persons age 65 and older and individuals with health conditions that put them at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 — such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease — practice home isolation. For further guidance, visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Self_Isolation_Guidance_03.16.20.pdf

Please note that there is no shortage of food and supplies and that the outbreak has no impact on the quality or supply of tap water and should not disrupt water or sewer service.
 
City Hall Closed

As a reminder, out of an abundance of caution to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, for at least the remainder of March, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. Advisory board meetings in March have also 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

For updates, resources and information on local closures, visit rpvca.gov/coronavirus.
 
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
 
The City has activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 3, the lowest level of activation, in order to maintain continuous communication with government agencies, the City Council, and the community.
 
PVPUSD Updates

The City has no new information regarding two COVID-19 cases reported to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District in the past few days, and has no more information about the identity or residence of these families than has already been reported by PVPUSD or the local media. For the latest information, visit pvpusd.net/virus  
 
The Peninsula Education Foundation is temporarily postponing registration for its High School Summer School program and Summer Break and PEP (K-8) summer programs. For more information, visit pvpss.com

As a reminder, in partnership with the Torrance Unified School District, during the school closure, free breakfast and lunch will be available from March 17-27 at several TUSD schools. For locations and more information, visit pvpusd.net/meals.
 
How You Can Help
 
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 block captains are available to assist any and all individuals who would like some form of assistance at this time. Those who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at 310-519-8648.
 
Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the novel coronavirus.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is December 16, 2020.

Houses of Worship

Houses of worship are urged in the strongest terms to limit large gatherings on their premises and to explore and implement ways to practice their respective faiths while observing social distancing practices

Mental Health

If the coronavirus outbreak is affecting your mental health, the World Health Organization recommends minimizing watching, reading or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed. Seek information only from trusted sources and mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice.

Find more tips, visit https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8

Additionally, you may call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s 24/7 ACCESS hotline at 800-854-7771.

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
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at https://www.rpvca.gov/list.aspx
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge
• 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. The immediate risk to the general public continues to be considered low at this time.