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

We’re Here

Although City Hall is closed for the weekend (and closed to the public in person through at least May 15), the City Council and City staff are monitoring communications from various government agencies and the public and will continue to share information with residents. A webpage with coronavirus updates, resources and information on local closures is continuously being updated at rpvca.gov/coronavirus

Stay connected and get updates from the City by subscribing to the Breaking News listserv at rpvca.gov/notify

COVID-19 Community Updates are now being distributed Monday through Friday rather than seven days a week, though any major announcements over the weekend will be shared with the community.

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

RPVtv’s “Around the Peninsula”

In the latest virtual edition of RPVtv’s "Around the Peninsula" co-hosts Liz Brown Swanson and Maria Serrao are joined by a medical team, business leaders and residents on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Special guests include Dr. Lawrence Sher of Palos Verdes Medical Group, Eileen Hupp, President/CEO of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, RPV resident and Scandia Salon hair stylist Cathy Vilicich, and Tim Aupperle, retail director of the Great American International Seafood Market.

The episode will air daily on RPVtv Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38 and can be viewed on RPVtv's YouTube channel at youtu.be/7nXL92LJOcI

Five Neighborhood Parks Partially Reopened

To provide residents with access to park space during the “Safer at Home” Order, at this time, the City has partially reopened five neighborhood parks on a trial basis. Only turf areas and walking paths are open in the following parks:

• Eastview Park (excluding the dog park)
• Frank A. Vanderlip Park
• Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park
• Ladera Linda Park
• Robert E. Ryan Community Park

• Parking lots, restrooms, playgrounds, dog parks, basketball and tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields
• Beaches, open space areas, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, and trails

• Active sports or organized activities
• Group gatherings or activities

The City is considering a comprehensive reopening plan of more of its parks and open space area over the next few weeks that is managed and responsible. To that point, the City recognizes the health and well-being of our residents and employees as a top priority, and is committed to keeping them safe. We urge all residents to follow the “Safer at Home” Order and only leave their homes for essential activities. We also urge the public to diligently practice physical distancing, as it is the most effective tool we have to fight this pandemic. We all must do our part to “flatten the curve.”

Cases

As of May 1, there are 24,215 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 60 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 37 in Palos Verdes Estates, 13 in Rolling Hills Estates and two in Rolling Hills. Countywide, 1,172 people have died.

According to the Department of Public Health, nine deaths have been reported in Rancho Palos Verdes. The City extends its deepest condolences to the families of these residents.

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.

Updated Self-Isolation Guidelines

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on how long people who are positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate. New evidence suggests it may take longer for the virus to shed, which means that an infected person may be able to infect other people for a longer period of time than was initially thought.

According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, people who are positive or presumed positive for COVID-19 should now self-isolate for 10 days and 72 hours after fever and symptoms subside. This means you must stay home until your fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications and there is improvement in your respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) for at least 3 days (72 hours) after recovery, AND at least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared or you were tested.

If you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is presumed to be infected with COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days from your last contact with that individual. If you begin experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate for 10 days and 72 hours after fever and symptoms subside. Individuals who are elderly or who have underlying health conditions may be at higher risk of serious illness and should contact their doctor as soon as they are sick.

What’s the difference between isolation and quarantine? 

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
  

• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
  

New COVID-19 Testing Eligibility Guidelines

Los Angeles County has updated its guidelines for who is eligible for free, same-day COVID-19 tests. At this time, testing is prioritized for:

• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19. These include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

• All essential workers regardless of symptoms. This includes:
  • Health care workers
  • First responders
  • Social service employees
  • Utility workers
  • Food supply workers
  • Other public employees
• People who are either over 65 or have chronic underlying health conditions.
• People in institutional congregate living settings, such as skilled nursing or long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, correctional institutions. (Although these groups will not primarily access testing in the County’s drive-up sites.)

Staying Safe in Good Weather

Remember to enjoy the weather responsibly, even as the weather gets better. Maintain physical distancing and wear your face covering when out at essential businesses.
 
Watch a message from Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDJGFdvSd2A

New Mental Health Awareness Month Initiatives Help Residents Cope with COVID-19 Quarantine 

May is celebrated nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month to spotlight the importance of mental health issues and access to care for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased fear, anxiety and stress dramatically, so visibility and awareness for this important issue are needed now more than ever.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has launched WE RISE 2020: Virtual May, a community capacity building celebration of healing, mental health and well-being powered by creative expression and connectedness. Now in its third year, the WE RISE campaign has been completely adapted for virtual platforms with original performances by diverse artists and celebrities, interactive workshops and unique programming with messages of inspiration and motivation and other special moments. Learn more at werise.la

Free Access to Headspace Plus Through 2020

The L.A. County Department of Mental Health has partnered with Headspace to offer L.A. County residents free subscriptions to its digital platform for improving mindfulness, relaxation and well-being as a mental health resource during this unprecedented public health crisis.

Headspace's vast library of content includes guided meditations, workout videos and sleep-promoting sounds, all of which can be readily accessed from your computer, tablet or smartphone!

To learn more about Headspace and to sign up for your free subscription, please visit https://www.headspace.com/lacounty

Need to Talk?

Mental health resources are available to provide compassion and support during this difficult time. Call the L.A. County Department of Mental Health 24/7 ACCESS hotline at 800-854-7771, text “LA” to 741741, or visit the Department of Mental Health’s COVID-19 resources page at https://dmh.lacounty.gov/covid-19-information/

Friendship Line California

L.A. County Disaster Help Center Extended Hours

The L.A. County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center is a centralized call center and website providing free, one-on-one counseling and support for business owners, workers, nonprofits, tenants and landlords who have been adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 emergency.

Whether you are a business owner struggling to keep your doors open or a worker who’s uncertain about their next paycheck, L.A. County now has a single location where you can get immediate help, tailored to your situation.

The center has expanded its hours of operation. You can now access its free, one-on-one counseling from:

• 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Monday through Friday)
• 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Saturdays)

• Telephone: (833) 238-4450
• Online: LACountyHelpCenter.org
• Email: DisasterHelpCenter@lacounty.gov
• Social media: @LACHelpCenter on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Local Volunteer Match

If you're a parent, student or graduate of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District interested in participating in the volunteer match program, or an older resident needing support, contact Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net.

Find out more ways to help your community during the COVID-19 crisis by visiting the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Closure Information

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.