Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, February 16, 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 February 9, 2021, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 8,597 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 1,115,239 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
Southern California’s ICU availability is 13.6%. Los Angeles County is no longer under the regional Stay At Home Order. Los Angeles County still remains in the most restrictive tier (Purple).
California has approximately 9.6% 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.
On February 11, 2021, the City hosted a Covid-19 Vaccine Town Hall from 12:00pm - 1:00pm in partnership with UCLA Health Physician Evelyn Curls, MD, MBA. This Vaccine Town Hall is one of several educational virtual events that will be free to the public to provide the most up-to-date vaccine information to keep the City of Carson residents informed.
Vaccine Distribution Center in Carson
From February 15, 2021 through February 19, 2021, Dignity Health will be providing vaccines at the Dignity Health Sports Park for City of Carson residents by way of appointment only. This vaccination event will be held that week from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The site will reopen a few weeks later to distribute the required second shot.
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 February 8 - February 11
|
CITY HALL |
APPOINTMENTS |
|
Human Resources |
6 |
|
Purchasing |
0 |
|
Public Safety |
1 |
|
Building & Safety |
15 |
|
City Clerk/City Treasurer |
3 |
|
Business License |
7 |
|
Community Development |
5 |
|
TOTALS |
37 |
Parks
Parks are open for passive activities (walking, jogging, running) and playgrounds and fitness equipment are available for use. 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 February 8 - February 11, 2021
|
PARK |
ALL DAY |
AFTERNOON |
TOTAL |
|
Calas |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Carson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Del Amo |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Dolphin |
11 |
0 |
11 |
|
Veterans |
15 |
0 |
15 |
Carson and Los Angeles County Cases per 100K
Hospitalizations in Los Angeles County
Medical Point of Dispensing (MPOD)
The City, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has established the Community Center as a Medical Point of Dispensing (MPOD) for the COVID vaccine. The City is actively seeking to be selected as one of the County’s sites.
The biggest limitation to having this site designated is 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. In addition to the webinar held by the City on February 11, 2021 featuring UCLA Health Physician Evelyn Curls, MD, MBA, the City plans to partner with California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and others to conduct additional 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