The City of Rancho Palos Verdes receives regular updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding novel coronavirus. Here is the latest information:
As of March 12, 2020, there are 32 known cases of coronavirus in Los Angeles County, including four in Long Beach and one in Pasadena, which were confirmed by those cities’ health departments. One person has died. The individual (a non-resident visiting friends) was an older adult who traveled extensively over the past month, including a long layover in South Korea.
Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify persons who may have had close personal contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness. All confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined. Social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declared a local and public health emergency in response to coronavirus on March 4, 2020.
Public Health recommends the following to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses:
- Avoid non-essential travel, public gatherings, and places where large groups of people congregate.
- Event organizers postpone or cancel non-essential gatherings of 250 or more until at least the end of March. (For more guidance, read the California Department of Public Health’s full policy at: bit.ly/2xtJPoZ)
- Smaller events proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person.
- Limiting the gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (people older than 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness) to no more than 10 people.
- This guidance does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes, work, or essential services.
- Certain activities are essential to the functioning of our state and must continue. Hence, this does not apply to essential public transportation, airport travel, or shopping at a store or mall.
- This does not apply to congregate living situations, including dormitories and homeless encampments.
- If you are mildly sick with a fever, stay home except to get medical care.
- Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick.
- Follow all social distancing recommendations issued by Public Health.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.
- Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Face masks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and those directly caring for people who are sick and by people who are sick (source control).
- Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared a public service announcement addressing the specific needs of older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems.
Closure Information
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District schools will be closed starting Friday, March 13. Schools are expected to reopen on Monday, April 6. For more information, visit http://www.pvpusd.net/apps/news/article/1182820
Los Angeles Unified School District schools will be closed for two weeks starting Monday, March 16. The district will open 40 family resource centers to provide care for children if families need it. For more information, visit lausd.net
Palos Verdes Library District branches will be closed starting Friday, March 13. For more information, visit pvld.org
Guidance for Employers: Please allow for flexibility with regards to individuals who may be sick and may require sick time off. For further information, instructions, and guidelines, please refer to the following link from the Department of Public Health: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceForEmployers.pdf
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
LA County residents can also call 2-1-1
To view a real-time map of coronavirus cases around the world produced by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering, visit https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
