City Of Hermosa Beach Coronavirus Update For October 8, 2020

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

October 8, 2020

To help keep the community informed, the City of Hermosa Beach is providing regular updates featuring the latest news about COVID-19; related local updates; and how the City is working to meet the needs of the community and protect public health.

Hermosa Beach Park Playgrounds to Reopen Tomorrow: The City of Hermosa Beach is reopening outdoor play structures, fitness stations and beach swings throughout the City tomorrow. The L.A. County Department of Public Health issued a revised Health Officer Order last Friday that allows for the reopening of playgrounds once protocols are implemented. The City has been cleaning the equipment and working to implement the County’s protocols for signage. Playground protocols require face coverings to be worn for everyone over the age of 2; to sanitize their hands before and after using the play structure; and maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from non-household members. The protocols also prohibit food and drink within the playground to ensure masks are worn at all times. They also limit play to 30 minutes when others are waiting. Parents and caregivers are required to supervise their children on the play structures to ensure these protocols are followed. The City asks parents and caregivers to work together so that all children can play safely and each has an opportunity to enjoy the play structures. For more information, please see the playground reopening protocols on the City’s website.

Upcoming Virtual City Meetings: Hermosa Beach City Council will hold its Annual Retreat online 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Please see the City Council Retreat Agenda for more information and how to participate. Hermosa Beach City Council will hold its regular public meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Please see the City Council Meeting Agenda on the City’s website for more information and how to participate.

Community Reminder – Pets Not Allowed on the Beach: Several members of the community have reported seeing more dogs on the beach during the pandemic. The City would like to remind pet owners that dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time. Please see this list of dog-friendly beaches to find places where you can take your pet to the beach. City ordinances also require all dogs to be on a leash when they’re not on their own property, and anyone walking dogs to clean up after them. Please see the City’s animal control website page and animal licensing and permit website page for more information on City ordinances regarding pets.

L.A. County Provides Food Resources to Address Growing Needs During Pandemic: Food insecurity remains one of the County’s highest areas of need as affirmed by the recent study from USC Dornsife Public Exchange in coordination with the Los Angeles County Emergency Food Security Branch. That study confirmed 1 in 4 L.A. County households experienced food insecurity between March and July of this year, representing an estimated 873,000 households, making current levels of food insecurity in the County higher than pre-pandemic levels. As the need for assistance continues, L.A. County encourages residents to access the available support and reminds residents that these assistance programs are available regardless of insurance or immigration status. For any questions, call or text 211. #LetsFeedLACounty is also hosting drive-thru food distribution events three times a week in locations across the County. For the latest information including distribution dates, times and locations, visit the County’s support services page on its website. Additionally, 211 LA has partnered with Slingshot Aerospace to create a mapping tool that makes locating food resources near you easier than ever. L.A. County is helping enroll low-income residents in the CalFresh Program, which issues monthly electronic EBT benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. Click here to enroll today.

Free Flu Shots Available: L.A. County's Department of Public Health and L.A. County Library are offering free flu vaccines to those 6 months of age and older at select Library locations across the County. Flu shot clinic dates and locations are available here. Health insurance is not required.

Free Mental Health Services Available: With stress, anxiety and depression on the rise because of the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the L.A. County Department of Mental Health’s (LACDMH) 24/7 Helpline at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals. LACDMH has partnered with Headspace to offer a collection of mindfulness and meditation resources – for free – to all L.A. County residents. The free Headspace Plus subscription includes access to hundreds of science-backed guided meditations in English and Spanish, as well as movement and sleep exercises to help manage stress, fear and anxiety related to COVID-19. LACDMH is also a part of PsychHub’s COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub, which is dedicated to providing free resources to help people address their mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC warns about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Adults: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a Case Series of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection March to August 2020. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since June 2020, there have been several cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). On October 2, the L.A. County Department of Public Health reported two additional cases of MIS-C, raising the total count of MIS-C in L.A. County to 40 children. All 40 MIS-C children required hospitalization, and nearly 50% were treated in intensive care. There have been no reported MIS-C deaths in L.A. County children. MIS-A in adults usually requires intensive care and can have fatal outcomes.

CDC Updates Guidance on How COVID-19 is Spread: CDC has issued updated guidance on How COVID-19 Spreads, including information about the potential for airborne spread of the virus. Based on current science, CDC continues to believe that people are more likely to become infected the more extended and closer they are to a person with COVID-19. The CDC’s update acknowledges the existence of reports showing limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area. In these instances, transmission occurred in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces that often involved activities that caused heavier breathing, like singing or exercise. Such environments and activities may contribute to the buildup of virus-carrying particles.

L.A. County COVID-19 Update: Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 21 new deaths and 1,280 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. To date, Public Health has identified 278,665 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,726 deaths.

Latest Facts & Figures*

Jurisdiction - Reported Cases | Reported Deaths

• Hermosa Beach - 229 | 4
• L.A. County - 278,665 | 6,726
• California - 834,800 | 16,361
• United States - 7,528,313 | 211,132

*All reported data is from the close of the previous day.

Additional Resources

Please continue to follow public health experts’ recommendations to avoid spreading the coronavirus including frequent handwashing, wearing a face covering, keeping a safe distance from one another, and staying home if you are ill. Public Health has issued the following guidance during this time of increased spread: If you are mildly sick, stay home for at least seven days or until 72 hours after being fever free, whichever is longer. Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick. More information is available here.

We are monitoring updates and sharing information about the coronavirus from trusted sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Information regarding coronavirus is changing frequently, and the City will provide the latest information about COVID-19 and links to resources on our website. To stay informed, please sign up for Hermosa Beach eNotifications, public safety alerts or follow the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.