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

Alert SouthBay Community Survey #2

The Alert SouthBay cities, including Rancho Palos Verdes, want to hear from you about your COVID-19 concerns and what kind of information you need and care about most. Take a moment to fill out a quick survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9ZD2NW

Cases

As of April 16, there are 10,854 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 46 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 36 in Palos Verdes Estates and 11 in Rolling Hills Estates. Countywide, 455 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.

It’s Takeout Thursday!

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.

Facebook Live with Supervisor Hahn April 17

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will hold a Facebook Live tomorrow, April 17, at 11 a.m. to discuss the latest COVID-19 case numbers in L.A. County, as well as what is being done to flatten the curve, increase our testing capacity, help struggling renters, and more.

Visit Supervisor Hahn’s Facebook page to tune in at facebook.com/supjanicehahn. Questions may be submitted as comments on the livestream.

Plasma Donations Needed

A Torrance Fire Engineer is in need of a plasma donation to help him fight his COVID illness. Specifically, he needs plasma donated from a fully recovered COVID patient so their antibodies may help boost his ability to fight back.

Please see the below requirements. If you think you or someone you know fits the criteria, please contact Dr. Marc Cohen at emsdoc911@hotmail.com or use the below url link to contact the American Red Cross:
Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 Patients
 
Time is of the essence. Even if you aren’t a match, you could be for another patient who needs this therapy.
 
To qualify as a plasma donor, you must:
 
1. Have had COVID as confirmed by a positive test.
2. Already be recovered and have one of the following:

• a. your symptoms resolved at least 28 days prior to donation OR
• b. your symptoms resolved 14 days prior to donation AND a repeat COVID test is negative

3. Be one of the following:

• a. Male donor
• b. Female donor who has never been pregnant
• c. Female donor who has been tested since their most recent pregnancy and results interpreted as negative for HLA antibodies.

https://www.dailybreeze.com/2020/04/15/torrance-firefighter-receives-overwhelming-response-to-help-him-recover-from-coronavirus/

L.A. County Expands Eviction Moratorium and Rent Freeze

The County of Los Angeles has expanded its temporary eviction moratorium to include all residential and commercial tenants in L.A. County (including those in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes) - with the exception of those who live (or conduct business) in cities with an eviction moratoria of their own.

L.A. County's moratorium includes a ban on evictions for:

• Nonpayment of rent, if the tenant can show they have been financially impacted by the health emergency
  
• No Fault reasons, such as owner/relative move-in or Ellis Act evictions
• Violations due to additional occupants, pets or nuisance related to COVID-19

• Phone: (833) 238-4450
• E-mail: rent@dcba.lacounty.gov
• Online: dcba.lacounty.gov

The Disaster Help Center also provides expanded foreclosure protection assistance for landlords with 15 or fewer units. If you are a property owner facing financial difficulty, contact the Help Center to learn about available resources for your situation.

For frequently asked questions, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/tenants-and-landlords

Governor Newsom Announces Paid Sick Leave Benefits for Food Sector Workers Impacted by COVID-19, Additional Protections for Consumers

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order to support California workers from large employers in the food sector industry impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with two weeks of paid sick leave, filling a gap left by federal relief that had provided similar paid leave benefits for employers with fewer than 500 workers.

Workers in the food sector, including farmworkers, agricultural workers, and those working in grocery stores and fast food chains, and as delivery drivers, are part of the state’s essential infrastructure workforce, and have continued to work to serve Californians.

Additionally, the Executive Order provides health and safety standards to increase worker and customer protection by permitting workers at food facilities to wash their hands every 30 minutes, or as needed, to increase proper sanitation measures.

The Administration has taken several actions to ensure food worker protections, including recently issued guidance by Cal/OSHA for the grocery industry on best practices on physical distancing, disinfecting, and the use of reusable bags. Also, the Governor released $100 million to support child care for essential infrastructure workers, including grocery workers, and vulnerable populations last week.

A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found at  https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.16.20-EO-N-51-20.pdf  

COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Local Antibody Testing

 
Palos Verdes Medical Group is now offering drive-thru COVID-19 antibody tests (also known as serology tests) on the fourth (top) floor of the Promenade on the Peninsula mall. Testing is by appointment only and is open to both PVMG patients and community members of all ages. A telehealth visit is required prior to scheduling an antibody test. Eligible patients include, but are not limited to, those who had, but do not currently exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, people who may have been in contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19, or individuals with high-risk jobs. This antibody test is $50 per person and is not currently covered by insurance.
 
To make an appointment for either an antibody test or a COVID-19 test, call PVMG at 310-544-6858 or email info@pvmedgroup.com.

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.

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

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. 

Find out other ways to help by visiting 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 physical distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.