Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

As of March 18, 2020, there are 190 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, so everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. One person has died. Although there are currently no confirmed cases in the City, the public should not think one location is safer than another.
 
For a list of cases broken down by city, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=2272&row=25&start=1

It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

Palos Verdes Golf Club Update
 
On March 17, the Daily Breeze reported that the Palos Verdes Golf Club confirmed that two of its members have tested positive for COVID-19. The entire facility (including the clubhouse, golf course, and practice areas) is closed through March 31.

Sheriff’s Department Update
 
On March 17, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a telebriefing for contract cities. Below is a list of items that were discussed, as well as notes from Captain James Powers on the Lomita Station’s status regarding COVID-19:

• No station personnel have tested positive for the virus.
• Patrol efforts are being increased.
• The department has added additional detectives to supplement Lomita station-wide patrol efforts. Some may be paired up with regular field personnel and are already in the field. They are focusing on high visibility, especially at grocery stores and other places where the public congregates. The purpose is to keep the peace and be available to the community.
• Captain Powers is reaching out to identify any homebound older adults or persons with special needs to conduct patrol checks and needs.
  
• The Lomita Station is in continual contact with its department resources to develop plans to mitigate potential problems and to reach out to the community.

Senior Support
 
Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn't need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station's non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.
 
Pavilions in the Peninsula Shopping Center is now offering “Senior Only” shopping hours Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

How You Can Help
 
PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 
 
Neighborhood Watch block captains are available to assist any and all individuals who would like some form of assistance at this time. Those who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com

Blood Donations Needed

The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. There is no clinical evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible through blood. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma.

The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff.

This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. Learn how to donate at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Financial Resources for Residents Impacted by COVID-19

• If you have had your hours cut, been furloughed, or laid off:
  • If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment insurance. If you are expecting to return to your job after the dust settles, you do not have to be actively seeking new work during the outbreak. But you must be "able and available to work" to get these benefits, which generally range from $40-$450 per week for up to six months. For more information, visit: https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm
• If you are currently sick with the coronavirus or have been exposed:
  • Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.
  • Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 - $1,300 a week. For more information, visit: https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_DI_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm/t_blank?fbclid=IwAR37UBdHJK4O3IRzK9Ff_sY1xdK7LuD1QKeb60xPK_-DC6cvtmF6Ejxbtxw
• If you are caring for someone else who is sick:
  • Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
  • Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. For more information, visit: https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm/t_blank?fbclid=IwAR1h6aChB9g-qjbT5S2SGOeOfJQtjbj-BqlJsUEYmloPvtHDWeCVhEIsyN8

Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the novel coronavirus.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is December 16, 2020.

Mental Health

If the coronavirus outbreak is affecting your mental health, the World Health Organization recommends minimizing watching, reading or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed. Seek information only from trusted sources and mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice.

Find more tips, visit https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8

Additionally, you may call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s 24/7 ACCESS hotline at 800-854-7771.
 
City Hall Closed

As a reminder, out of an abundance of caution to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, for at least the remainder of March, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. Advisory board meetings in March have also been canceled. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

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

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. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory

For updates, resources and information on local closures, visit rpvca.gov/coronavirus.

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

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
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at https://www.rpvca.gov/list.aspx
 
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/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus. The immediate risk to the general public continues to be considered low at this time.