Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 20, 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 April 14, 2021, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 9,542 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 1,226,596 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 any further direction.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Southern California’s ICU availability is 33.3%. As of Wednesday, March 31, 2021, the State of California moved to the Orange tier and Los Angeles County aligned to Orange tier protocols on Monday, April 5, 2021.
As the date of this report, Los Angeles County has reported 4,913,321 total vaccines doses have been administered with 1,746,103 second doses. In the City of Carson, 41.8% of residents 18 and over have received at least one vaccine dose.
Vaccine Distribution Sites in Carson
On February 15, 2021 through February 19, 2021, Dignity Health operated a vaccination site at the Dignity Health Sports Park for City of Carson residents and others by way of appointment only. This vaccination event, held that week from 8:30am to 4:30pm, vaccinated 4,000 people a day for a total of 20,000 people. The site reopened from March 15 - 19 to distribute the required second shot only for those who received the 1st shot previously at that location.
On February 25, 2021 the City of Carson in collaboration with Carson Pharmacy, provided a “Pop-Up” Covid-19 vaccination site that administered 225 vaccines for Carson residents who are 65 years of age and older. Due to the success of the “Pop-Up” vaccination site, the City and Carson Pharmacy have continued to collaborate with additional clinics held on March 18, April 1 and April 8.
On April 10, 2021, the City of Carson in collaboration with CARE Ambulance provided a “Pop-Up” Covid-19 vaccination site at the Community Center that administered 500 vaccines for Carson residents.
On April 14th, the City of Carson in collaboration with Behavioral Health Services, Inc. provided a “Pop-Up” Covid-19 vaccination site at Veterans’ Sports Complex with 1,000 Moderna vaccines administered.
On April 14th and 15th, 2021, the City of Carson in collaboration with Tri-State Community Healthcare provided a “Pop-Up” Covid-19 vaccination site at Stevenson Park with 150 vaccines administered on each day.
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 provided 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. To date, $6,300,000.00 in Federal Loans have been received with assistance from the City. Businesses in Carson were eligible for emergency loans of up to $30,000 from the City of Carson’s own Loan Program funded with $500,000. The City Council increased the Loan Program amount to $650,000 with a total of $650,000 being fully funded.
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 City has awarded $156,000 out of $179,000 total.
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 April 12 - April 15
|
CITY HALL |
APPOINTMENTS |
|
Human Resources |
9 |
|
Finance |
2 |
|
Public Safety |
5 |
|
Building & Safety |
20 |
|
City Clerk/City Treasurer |
3 |
|
Business License |
19 |
|
Community Development |
1 |
|
TOTALS |
59 |
Parks
Parks are open for active recreation such as field use and fitness classes for both outdoors and indoors (at limited capacity). 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) as well as basketball courts are open for non-competitive use.
Recreation Programs
Pursuant to the most recent State and County health orders, all Youth and Adult Outdoor Recreational Sports are opened with active registrations for T-Ball, Softball and Baseball.
Kids Club/Licensed Childcare Programs
Per earlier guidance provided by State and County authorities, the City has reopened and is operating a number of our kids programs, namely Kids Club/Licensed Childcare programs at our parks.
Currently staff is recruiting Part-Time employees for Summer Camp. Staff also is currently recruiting for the upcoming aquatic season.
The following table summarizes the number of participants for:
Week of April 12 - April 15, 2021
|
PARK |
ALL DAY |
AFTERNOON |
TOTAL |
|
Calas |
14 |
0 |
14 |
|
Carson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Del Amo |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Dolphin |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Veterans |
14 |
0 |
14 |
Carson and Los Angeles County Cases per 100K
We are pleased to report that the number of positive COVID-19 cases has been dropping as we move further away from the winter holiday spike. We want to provide a note of caution, however, that there are now a number of variants to the virus circulating that have higher transmission rates than the earlier form of the virus. There is concern that this could result in another increase in positive cases.
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. This would enable the City to be selected as one of the County’s sites.
On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Johnson & Johnson as a third vaccine for prevention of Covid-19. This vaccine is a one shot dose unlike the Pfizer and Moderna that require two shots for full vaccination. Out of an abundance of caution, Johnson & Johnson vaccines were temporarily paused by federal health officials on April 13, 2021 due to a rare and severe type of blood clot found in six cases among more than 7 million people who received the shot.
Vaccine Education
Residents can view on the City’s website the educational Town Hall that was conducted by the City on February 11, 2021 featuring UCLA Health Physician Evelyn Curls, MD, MBA. Also available for viewing is the City’s second educational Town Hall conducted on March 25, 2021 in collaboration with CSUDH and Dr. Ana Sophia Lopes.
The City has a website at www.carsonca.gov/vaccine <http://www.carsonca.gov/vaccine> to inform residents about vaccines, vaccine site locations, and recorded videos of previous vaccine-related town halls.
Individuals who are apprehensive of potential side effects or have a history of allergies should consult with their physicians regarding their concerns.
Vaccines with Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA)
Vaccines are not fully effective until two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna and 2 weeks after the one dose for Johnson and Johnson.
|
Pfizer-BioNTech |
Two dose series separated by 21 days. Indicated ages of 16 years and up. |
|
Moderna |
Two dose series separated by 28 days. Indicated ages of 18 years and up. |
|
Johnson & Johnson |
One dose. Indicated ages of 18 years and up. |
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 Janitorial, Custodial, and Maintenance Services Individuals with health conditions/disabilities and their caregivers People who live or work in congregate living spaces Transportation and Logistics |
|
April 1 |
• 50 years and older |
|
April 15 |
• 16 years and older |
On March 1, the group containing education and childcare, emergency services, food and agriculture became eligible for the vaccine. In addition, custodians and janitors, public transit workers, and airport ground crew workers are all now eligible to be vaccinated. On March 15, vaccine eligibility opened to people ages 16 through 64 who have underlying health conditions or disabilities that put them at the higher risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. On April 1st, eligibility expanded to 50 and over and on April 15th, eligibility expanded to 16 and over.
Those who have completed the vaccine regiment (two shots plus a two-week period following the 2nd shot for the strongest protection or two weeks following the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine) are still being directed to wear a mask and distance. While the vaccine provides a high level of protection for the individual vaccinated from getting the COVID-19 disease associated with this virus, it is believed that the individual can still spread the virus to others.
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