Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

Seniors 65+ Next Group Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

On Wednesday, the state announced that in order to increase the pace of COVID-19 vaccine distribution to those at greatest risk, individuals 65 and older will be prioritized to receive the vaccine as demand subsides among health care workers.

Those in Phase 1A – health care workers and long-term care residents – remain the highest priority to receive vaccines. Demand for the vaccines continues to far exceed supply.

Following a bipartisan letter from nine governors including Governor Newsom on January 8, the CDC announced changes Tuesday to its vaccine plan including making more of the coronavirus vaccine supply available to all states. Along with the increase in vaccine supply, the federal government encouraged states to expand the pool of those eligible to receive the vaccine to individuals 65 and older.

Governor Newsom also announced a new system to let people know if they are eligible to receive a vaccine, and if not yet eligible, to register for a notification via email or text when they are eligible. That system is expected to launch next week. A second phase of that system will help counties, cities and others run mass vaccination events. This will include a way for eligible members of the public to schedule their vaccination appointments at those events. Community vaccination events are only one way for eligible Californians to receive their vaccines. When available, the public can also go to their doctor or pharmacy to receive the vaccine.

Learn more at bit.ly/NR21-015.

What does this mean for L.A. County?

L.A. County will not begin vaccinating people age 65 and older until we complete vaccinations for healthcare workers and receive more vaccine from the state for this new priority group. The current goal is to complete vaccinations of frontline healthcare workers and staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities by the end of January. As the county completes Phase 1A, we can look to starting vaccinations for groups within next phase – 1B, starting with those who are 65 and older. The L.A. County Department of Public Health is working with the state to identify additional vaccine doses so that it can start to schedule appointments once the doses arrive.

What’s my tier?

To find out when it’s your turn to receive your free COVID-19 vaccination, visit the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s dedicated COVID-19 vaccine website at vaccinatelacounty.com. There you can also sign up for a newsletter with the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, distribution, myths, facts, and scams.

What can I do now if I’m not in a current prioritization group?

The Beach Cities Health District reminds the public that even with vaccines on the horizon, it remains essential that we continue to follow the health guidance and take steps to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 or giving it to others. It truly is safest at home. If you leave your home to deliver or receive essential services, you must wear your face covering correctly and physically distance yourself from others. Wash your hands often. Individuals with underlying health conditions and those that are older should remain in their home and not be around others unless seeking routine or essential health and dental care. If you are having difficulty breathing, go to an emergency room or call 911. For more info and resources, visit www.bchd.org/covidvaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Myths vs Facts

The L.A. County Department of Public Health reminds the public that while you may have heard different things about the COVID-19 vaccine on social media or through friends and family, it is important to know the facts.

Myth 2: Only 1% of people who get COVID-19 die of it. Won't the vaccine kill more people than that?

The Facts: COVID-19 is a lethal disease. Seasonal flu can be very dangerous but it kills about one person in every thousand infected, while COVID-19 kills one out of a hundred people who are infected. No one has died from the two approved vaccines.

Some people wonder if that could be just because volunteers who took part in vaccine trials were not tracked for long enough for us to know if there will be deaths. It's true that we only have three months of experience watching people who got these vaccines, but we do have experience with other vaccines and the vast majority of ill effects show up within hours or days. There is no basis for believing we will see something different here.

For more myths and facts, and more vaccine information, go to vaccinatelacounty.com.

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Events

COVID-19 Winter Surge & Vaccine Rollout - Is Hope on the Horizon?

The end of 2020 marked two milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic: a broad national surge of cases that have overwhelmed hospital capacity in communities across California and the first rounds of vaccination. With broader vaccine distribution expected in 2021, is hope on the horizon? Are we at the beginning of an end to the pandemic? 

Join the California Medical Association and hear experts weigh in on January 19 at 12 p.m. for Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Winter Surge & Vaccine Rollout - Is Hope on the Horizon? Register for the webinar at cmadocs.org.

L.A. County COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall

Join the L.A. County Department of Public Health on January 19 at 6 p.m. for a COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall. You can submit questions at tinyurl.com/askcovidtownhall and watch live on LA Public Health's Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Safe in the South Bay: State of COVID-19 Vaccine

The Beach Cities Health District’s  Safe in the South Bay Series is bringing health experts, cities, chambers, schools and community members together around this fast-moving pandemic. The live-streamed series #4 on February 4 at 5 p.m. will focus on COVID-19 vaccinations and the psychology and resilience of living during a pandemic. Join an esteemed panel of experts who will provide the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines and the ways residents, organizations, businesses, schools and the Beach Cities community can support COVID-19 recovery. Register at bchd.org/coronavirus.

L.A. County Discontinues Use of Curative Test

As a precaution, the L.A. County Department of Health Services will discontinue the use of the Curative COVID-19 PCR tests at its county-supported pop-up testing sites. The change, which took place this week, comes after a review of the data that prompted the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration alert about the possibility of false negative results.

Curative provided a limited number of tests at county-supported pop-up testing sites beginning in mid-December. Between Dec. 13, 2020 and Jan. 2, 2021, 24,241 Curative tests were administered at those sites. That made up about 10% of all COVID-19 tests administered at county-supported test sites during that same time frame. The Curative tests will be replaced with Fulgent Genetics tests.

All COVID-19 tests have a risk of false negative results, which means that you may test negative when you actually have COVID-19. That is because the sensitivity depends on how well the sample was collected and the concentration of viral RNA in the sample. There is no reliable way to detect early infection, meaning that infection often spreads before symptoms develop. Nevertheless, PCR tests, including the Curative test, remain better at detecting disease than other tests, including rapid tests.

Governor Newsom Launches Transparency, Accountability and Assistance Measures in the State’s Safe Schools for All Plan

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the launch of transparency, accountability and assistance measures related to the Safe Schools for All Plan. The Safe Schools for All Hub – schools.covid19.ca.gov – was launched as a one-stop shop for information about safe in-person instruction, and will be updated frequently.

Today’s announcement follows on the December unveiling of the Safe Schools for All Plan and reflects the best available science regarding safe in-person instruction, which the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently summarized. The Plan is built on four pillars: (1) funding; (2) safety & mitigation; (3) oversight & assistance; and (4) transparency & accountability.

The four pillars of the Governor’s Safe Schools for All Plan advance a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy to ensure that, as transmission rates decrease, the first priority for California communities is to resume in-person instruction. Schools should reopen safely according to a phased-in approach that prioritizes our youngest students and students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, including students with disabilities.
Read more on the California Governor website.

California Updates Travel Advisory

Last week, the California Department of Public Health issued an updated travel advisory. Except in connection with essential travel, Californians should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California and should adhere to the state's self-quarantine procedures for 10 days.

CDC Expands Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers Entering the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans.

Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world, and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants.  With the U.S. already in surge status, the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.

Before departure to the United States, a required test, combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel, will help slow the spread of COVID-19 within U.S. communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes.

Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

DMV Suspends Behind-the-Wheel Driving Tests through January

The California Department of Motor Vehicles will continue its temporary suspension of behind-the-wheel driving tests until at least February 1. The DMV previously suspended the tests until January 11. The DMV is taking this step for the health and safety of customers and employees during the ongoing statewide surge in COVID-19 cases.

Customers with scheduled appointments through January 29 will be notified their tests are postponed. The DMV will automatically reschedule the tests at a later date.

In-vehicle testing is a requirement for first-time driver’s license holders and commercial license applicants. The temporary suspension includes commercial and noncommercial tests, but does not apply to motorcycle drive tests, which can be conducted at a safe distance.

Read more at bit.ly/3bipHs3.

Household Hazardous/Electronic Waste Collection Events Suspended

The L.A. County Sanitation Districts announced that to encourage residents to stay home, Household Hazardous/Electronic Waste Collection events have been temporarily suspended starting January 16. The county hopes to resume this free service in the near future and will make another announcement when the program restarts. The next household hazardous/electronic waste collection at RPV City Hall is tentatively scheduled for May 2021. Any change of plans will be announced.

L.A. County Animal Care and Control Waives Cat Adoption Fees in January

The L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control is waiving cat adoption fees for the month of January. The department is hoping to get more animals out of its care centers and into homes. This waiver does not include license and trust deposit fees. For more information, visit animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Looking for some fun virtual activities while you’re staying safer at home?

West Basin Water is Life Students Art Contest

Calling all students in West Basin's service area! Show off your creativity and passion for the environment by submitting to West Basin's Water is Life student art contest!

The district is now accepting student submissions for its Water is Life student art contest through March 19. West Basin is also offering free, live, virtual art lessons to help students learn how to create a winning entry!

For contest details and to register for lessons, visit westbasin.org/waterislife.

First Virtual Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour 2021: 6 Movies in 90 Minutes

PVLD Community Survey

The Palos Verdes Library District is seeking the community's input as it continues to plan for the return of interior library services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your input will help in the planning process. Take a moment to fill out the survey at pvld.org/survey.

City Hall Temporarily Closed, Outdoor Recreation Activities Postponed

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 surge across L.A. County, and to limit public contact to protect the health and well-being of residents and City staff, City Hall is temporarily closed to the public through January 29. The City will remain open for business, however, by telephone, email, online and limited curbside services. Some employees are working on rotation and may be working remotely. Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs. For a list of departments, visit http://www.rpvca.gov/148/Departments.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov.

Building permit applications and requests may be submitted to buildingsafety@rpvca.gov.

Payments can be made online at https://dpm.bankofthewest.com/ebpp/RPVCA/Login/Index or by phone at 310-544-5301.

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43.

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8.

As a reminder, all City park buildings are closed. Following guidance from L.A. County in response to the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases, the City has postponed all in-person, outdoor recreational activities until further notice. This includes classes listed in the Winter Recreation Guide and the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA After School Recreational Enrichment Program. For updates and information on virtual activities, please check rpvca.gov.

It’s Takeout Thursday!

With the recent outdoor dining prohibition in Los Angeles County, our local restaurants need our support now more than ever! All residents are encouraged to participate in The Great Peninsula Takeout, a Peninsula-wide effort to support local restaurants. Join our community in this "Takeout Tuesdays and Takeout Thursdays" initiative by posting on social media and inviting friends and neighbors to order takeout!

Check the Open for Business page on the City website for a list of local restaurants offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup.

Upcoming Local Blood Drive

Blood donations have decreased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to come out and give to ensure there’s lifesaving blood on the shelves for those who need it.

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Tuesday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pacific Unitarian Universalist Church, 5621 Montemalaga Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes.
 
Reserve a time online at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: PACIFICUNITARIANCHURCH.


Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete the pre-donation paperwork.

The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff. There is no evidence that the novel coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus, including the novel coronavirus.

For a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Help save lives and get insight into whether you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

For more information, visit redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Cases

For a list of cases broken down by city, demographic characteristics, and settings, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

For an interactive dashboard with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/