Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
COVID-19 UPDATE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
As of the preparation of this report on May 10, 2022, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 25,975 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 2,895,400 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 may have not been tested and therefore not counted among the reported cases.
The most recent data from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) show an increase in the number of positive cases and an increase in the daily positivity rate from a low of 0.63% in March to 1.77% as of April 29.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. RECEIVE and FILE.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
As of the date of this report, Los Angeles County has reported that 18,636,921 total vaccine doses have been administered with 8,118,446 individuals receiving at least one dose and 7,331,334 fully vaccinated. As of the date of this report, 86.2% of Carson residents 5 years of age and over have received at least one vaccine dose.
Vaccine Distribution Sites in Carson
Effective immediately, City employees as well as the public can obtain a PCR/Rapid test at the Carson Sheriff Station administered by Northshore Clinical Labs of California located at 21356 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA from 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Homebound seniors can also request a mobile vaccination appointment through Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Appointments can be made by calling 833-540-0473 or via the link that can be found at
www.carsonca.gov/vaccine <http://www.carsonca.gov/vaccine>
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) loans (now ended), other loan programs as well as general business assistance in managing this crisis. Businesses in Carson were also eligible for emergency loans of up to $30,000 from the City of Carson’s own Loan Program funded by the City with a total of $650,000, with all funds now being fully disbursed to borrowers.
On March 2022, the City Council approved an allocation of $1,000,000 towards the repayment of small business loans from the pandemic and the remaining balance of approximately ($700K) to be provided for grant opportunities to struggling businesses.
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 approved 54 grant recipients and awarded $284,171 out of $335,932 budgeted.
The financial assistance is available for up to a maximum of $10,000 per qualified households, is 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.
Los Angeles County residents can also apply for the state-wide rental relief program which the County of Los Angeles is a participant. Residents may apply at housing.ca.gov or call 833-320-2122.
City Hall
Effective Monday, April 11, 2022, City Hall reopened to the public without need of an appointment to standard City hours (Monday through Thursday 7:00am - 6:00pm).
City Events
As of the turn of the New Year, City events continue to follow all Health & Safety protocols as pronounced through the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
Parks
All recreation centers closed effective Monday, January 10, 2022 until further notice. All programs will be conducted outdoors or postponed based on County guidelines.
Recreation Programs
Youth Sports began with t-ball, baseball, and softball. The next youth sports seasons were flag football, soccer and softball with the season beginning October 2 through December 4, 2021. Youth Basketball league began registration on December 4.
Vaccine Education
The City has a website at www.carsonca.gov/vaccine <http://www.carsonca.gov/vaccine> to inform residents about vaccines, vaccine site locations, education webinars by various entities and recorded videos of previous vaccine-related town halls.
Individuals who are apprehensive of potential side effects, have a history of allergies or are hesitant for any reason should consult with their physicians regarding any concerns.
Vaccines are not fully effective until two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna and 2 weeks after one dose for Johnson & Johnson.
Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals ages 5+ should receive a primary series of 3 doses of Pfizer, ages 12+ should also receive 1 booster at least 3 months after the third dose. Similarly, moderately or severely immunocompromised Moderna recipients ages 18+ should also receive 3 doses for a primary series and 1 booster after 3 months. In summary, immunocompromised individuals should receive 3 doses of mRNA vaccines to be fully vaccinated and those eligible should receive 1 booster for a total of 4 doses.
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Pfizer-BioNTech |
Two dose series separated by 21 days. Indicated ages of 5 to 15 under EUA; 16 and up have full approval. Boosters after 5 months of original series are approved for 12 and up. Immunocompromised individuals 5 and up should receive an additional dose as part of their primary series, 28 days after 2nd shot. |
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Moderna |
Two dose series separated by 28 days. Indicated ages of 18 years and up. Immunocompromised individuals 18 and up should receive an additional dose as part of their primary series, 28 days after 2nd shot. |
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Johnson & Johnson |
One dose. Indicated ages of 18 years and up. Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals should receive 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson, followed by 1 mRNA vaccine dose. |
On January 3rd, 2022, the FDA increased eligibility for 3rd dose boosters for recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for all individuals 12 and up. On January 4th, 2022, the CDC changed their booster timeline recommendation from 6 months after the primary series to 5 months after primary series.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
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 from FEMA or other sources.
VI. EXHIBITS
N/A
Prepared by: Nora Garcia, Emergency Services Manager, and Roobik Galoosian, Risk Manager