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

It’s National Library Week!

While you’re staying at home, take advantage of digital resources from the Palos Verdes Library District. Although library locations are currently closed, online services are available at pvld.org. Many digital resources are accessible 24/7, no matter where you are. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Don’t have a library card? Register online.  

• Read eBooks and listen to audiobooks on OverDrive. Stream movies and TV shows on Kanopy  and Hoopla
• Check out digital magazines via Flipster. Stream and download music on Freegal. 
• Kids and learners of all ages can get one-on-one homework help and tutoring from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. every day on Brainfuse, plus there are many other resources for school and careers available at all hours.
• Be sure to also check out kids’ activities and other online resources curated by library staff:
• Kids Book & Author Activities
  • Crafts and Activities
  • Virtual Exploring
  • Homework Help
• PVLD’s Young Artists & Authors at Home
  • Are you writing or creating art while you are home? The library would love to showcase your work online.
  • Submit your work at https://www.pvld.org/youngartistsauthors and check us out each day to see all of the amazing new submissions.
• Explore and More: The World At Your Fingertips
  • Visit libraries and museums around the world. Watch operas and Broadway musicals from your couch. See animals at the zoo without any crowds. Stay fit while the gyms are closed. And get self-care tips to aid your mental health. We may all be inside right now, but the world is at your fingertips to explore and more.

We also invite you and your family to share your Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak stories online with Your Story is the Peninsula’s Story. Parents and educators, please take this as an opportunity to help your students tell their stories.

Cases

As of April 22, there are 16,435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice physical distancing. The total includes 50 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 36 in Palos Verdes Estates and 13 in Rolling Hills Estates. Countywide, 729 people have died.

To date, the City is aware of the deaths of two residents who reportedly contracted the novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest condolences to the residents’ families and ask for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

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

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.

New L.A. County Modeling Projections

Physical distancing is working, which is why we have to keep it up to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that our hospital system is not overloaded. View modeling projections of hospital beds and resources in L.A. County at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/COVID-19-Projection-Public-Update-4.22.pdf

Reminder: Alert SouthBay Community Survey #2

Have you responded to the Alert SouthBay survey? The Alert SouthBay cities, including Rancho Palos Verdes, want to hear from you about your COVID-19 concerns and what kind of information you need and care about most. Take a moment to fill out the survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9ZD2NW

Reminder: Critical Delivery Service Available to Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

The Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) has launched a free delivery program for older adults and individuals with disabilities. This countywide program, called Critical Delivery Service, will deliver groceries, household items, and other vital necessities to individuals who are unable to leave their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Items may be delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost to the client. No application process is required; however, items must be pre-paid and ready for pickup. Deliveries may be scheduled by calling 1-888-863-7411 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clients may utilize this service up to four times or 40 miles per month, whichever comes first.

For a downloadable factsheet about the Critical Delivery Service, visit bit.ly/2xgDQ7f

Reminder: Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserve CLOSED

The City would like to remind residents that all City parks, beaches and open space areas, including the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, remain closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

City staff, Park Rangers and law enforcement are monitoring these areas.

These closures follow county and state guidance, along with similar closures by other cities, and were put in place March 23 after a weekend that saw a high volume of visitors despite the “Safer at Home” Order and physical distancing guidelines.

Please know that these closures are temporary. The more we all stay home except for essential needs and stick to walking in our neighborhoods, the sooner we will get through this and reopen the open space areas.

We’re all in this together, RPV. We will get through this together and resume our routines, but we need everyone to do their part to get us through sooner.

For a full list of closures, visit: bit.ly/2UexWwo

Other Closures

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least May 15, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have 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

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about the 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
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/ 

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 physical distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.