Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, February 02, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
COVID-19 UPDATE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
During this unprecedented pandemic, the City of Carson has had to adhere to Federal, State and County Executive orders, which initially helped slow the spread of the virus but it did so by shutting down our local businesses and severely impacting our economy. Our residents and businesses were directed by the State to follow stay-at-home orders, with the exception of employees who were determined to have an essential job or for residents to shop for essential needs. For the first time in its incorporated history, the City was not allowed to operate in any capacity outside of health measures dictated by the Federal, State and County governments.
As of the preparation of this report on January 28, 2021, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 7,984 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 1,091,712 cases within Los Angeles County (which includes cases reported by the Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). This underreports the actual spread of the virus since those who do not display symptoms or are otherwise mildly impacted have not been tested.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
DISCUSS and PROVIDE direction.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Due to the Southern California Region’s ICU capacity being less than 15% (currently at 0%), Due to the 4-week ICU capacity projection of 33.3%, Los Angeles County is no longer under the regional Stay At Home Order. Los Angeles County still remains in the most restrictive tier (Purple).
On January 4, 2021, the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency issued new directives to ambulance providers to reduce the demand surge currently experienced by overburdened hospitals. One directs ambulances to only administer oxygen to patients with oxygen saturation below 90% in order to conserve the oxygen that is in short supply. The other directs them to not transport to hospitals patients who experience cardiac arrest and cannot be resuscitated in the field - determination of death should be made instead. These measures are being taken as hospitals continue to be stretched past capacity with now over 8,000 COVID-related hospitalizations across Los Angeles County.
California has approximately 5.5% vaccinated (1st dose). States are continuing to develop strategies to increase the rate of vaccinations. As of the date of this report, the following locations are Vaccine Mega Sites for Los Angeles County: Dodger Stadium, Six Flags Magic Mountain, The Great Western Forum and Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN). All of the LA County sites are being offered to Phases 1A, 1B and a portion of 1C.
Small Business Programs
The City of Carson, in partnership with the California Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), launched the Carson Small Business Coronavirus Business Assistance Program to provide support for small business impacted by the COVID-19 virus and associated restrictions. The program has been providing technical assistance to businesses seeking Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding (now ended), other loan programs as well as general business assistance in managing this crisis. Businesses in Carson are eligible for emergency loans of up to $30,000 from the City of Carson’s own Loan Program funded with $500,000. Please visit carson.cceda.com or call (213) 348-7504.
City Rental Assistance Program
The City of Carson has created a one-time Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) for individuals and families renting in Carson and financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will continue until funds run out.
The financial assistance is available for up to a maximum of $10,000 per qualified households and based on actual need for monthly rent payment, and does not have to be repaid.
For more information on the ERA program please visit: <http://ci.carson.ca.us/CommunityDevelopment/housing_cdbg.aspx> or call (310) 233-4829.
City Hall
City Hall is operating on Safer Hours and open to public by appointment on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 AM to 6 PM. The public is encouraged to utilize online and telephonic services as much as possible.
For the week of January 25 - January 28
CITY HALL |
APPOINTMENTS |
Human Resources |
1 |
Purchasing |
0 |
Public Works |
0 |
Building & Safety |
12 |
City Clerk/City Treasurer |
13 |
Business License |
13 |
Community Development |
0 |
TOTALS |
39 |
Parks
Parks are open for passive activities (walking, jogging, running). A face-covering and social distancing is required. Outdoor park restrooms are open during operating hours. Tennis courts are open for individuals or members of a single household (face-covering required).
Recreation Programs
Group in-person recreation programs are currently suspended due to public health orders.
Kids Club/Licensed Childcare Programs
Per guidance provided by State and County authorities, the City was permitted to reopen a number of programs, namely Kids Club/Licensed Childcare programs at our parks.
The following table summarizes the number of participants for:
Week of January 25 - January 28, 2021
PARK |
ALL DAY |
AFTERNOON |
TOTAL |
Calas |
11 |
0 |
11 |
Carson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Del Amo |
4 |
0 |
4 |
Dolphin |
10 |
0 |
10 |
Veterans |
16 |
0 |
16 |
Carson and Los Angeles County Cases per 100K
Hospitalizations
Medical Point of Dispensing (MPOD)
The Mayor and City Council are actively planning and in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as well as other Federal and State officials on the establishment of a Medical Point of Dispensing (MPOD) for the COVID vaccine. Current planning targets the utilization of the Community Center as a central hub site for dispensing of the Moderna vaccine for three to six months beginning as early as February. The City is actively seeking to be selected as one of the County’s sites. Vaccines will likely start with the Phase 1B population and continue forward with successive phases until it is open to the general public.
The biggest limitation in additional vaccine sites being designated it the limited supply of vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, respectively. There are two additional potential Pharmaceutical companies that are close to having vaccines approved for emergency use.
New Approach to Vaccines
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. They are unlike other vaccines that put a weakened or inactivated germ in our bodies to trigger an immune response. The mRNA vaccines work differently. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein-or even just a piece of a protein-that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. Importantly, it has been reported that these vaccines will enable us to develop an immune response to the new strains of the virus that have recently been detected.
Individuals who are apprehensive of potential side effects or have a history of allergies should consult with their physicians regarding their concerns. The City will be partnering with both the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in the near future to conduct educational workshops to provide public information on the vaccines.
Vaccines with Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA)
Pfizer-BioNTech |
Two dose series separated by 21 days. Indicated ages of 16 years and up. EUA issued by FDA on December 11, 2020. |
Moderna |
Two dose series separated by 28 days. Indicated ages of 18 years and up. EUA issued by FDA on December 18, 2020. |
Vaccine Phases
Phase 1A |
• Healthcare workers • Long-term care residents |
Phase 1B |
1B Tier One • Individuals 65 and older • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors (waiting for vaccination): Education and childcare Emergency services Food and agriculture 1B Tier Two • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: o Transportation and logistics o Industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services o Critical manufacturing • Congregate settings with outbreak risk: o Incarcerated o Homeless |
Phase 1C |
• Individuals 50 -64 years of age • People 16-49 years of age who have an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19 • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: o Water and wastewater o Defense o Energy o Chemical and hazardous materials o Communications and IT o Financial services o Government operations / community-based essential functions |
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Staff costs are being incurred by the City for the coordination, surveillance, communication and management of the COVID-19 local emergency, as well as costs for procuring related services and supplies. City costs are either being covered by existing department appropriations or new appropriations from the General Fund. All costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic are being tracked separately by staff who will continue to pursue all available reimbursements for eligible City costs incurred.
VI. EXHIBITS
N/A
Prepared by: David C. Roberts, Jr., Assistant City Manager