Full Notification

Current Initiatives and Updates

• Update on Youth Sports During COVID-19 – L.A. County Public Health recently updated the Re-Opening Protocol for Youth Sports Leagues in alignment with State guidelines. In addition, the City of Manhattan Beach met with local youth field user groups to discuss developing specific protocols unique to their sports. Following the County directives for Youth Sports Leagues and league specific modifications, the City fields are tentatively scheduled to re-open youth sports on limited basis on August 31.
• Outdoor Fitness Class Park Fee Waived - On August 18, City Council waived City park fees for local Manhattan Beach fitness studios. The fee waiver provides consistency and some financial relief to local studios using City parks for outdoor fitness classes as a result of the State and County Health Order that requires indoor facilities remain closed. Although fees are waived, all fitness studios are required to obtain a permit for use through the Parks and Recreation Department. For more information on outdoor fitness classes, please visit citymb.info.
• Library Doors Closed but Virtual Programming Abounds- Though the library doors are closed, a reminder that Sidewalk Service (curbside) is an option and the Library offers Virtual Programming.
• Everyone Counts – As of today, 65.8% of Manhattan Beach residents have completed the 2020 Census. Thank you for your response! To the households that have not responded, please, we need your help. Respond today. Every person not counted in the census costs the state in lost federal funding that would potentially benefit our community for the next decade. These are your tax dollars that should be coming back to the City of Manhattan Beach to support local needs. Everyone must answer not only for the community but for yourselves. To ensure everyone is counted, the Census Bureau hired census takers from their local communities to make household visits following CDC and Public Health guidelines. Because the Census Bureau has a reliable contact list for both landlines and cellphones, census takers will follow up with non-responsive households by phone. To avoid the household visit and phone calls, your options are to:
  • respond online at 2020census.gov;
  • call and respond by phone at (844) 330-2020; or
  • complete and mail back the paper questionnaire received NOW.
• For more information and what to expect during the household visit, see census.gov. As a reminder, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every ten years.

The change reflects daily increases, not increases from the prior situation report. L.A. County still anticipates receiving backlog cases from the State electronic lab report (ELR) technical issue. Data sources that track other key indicators, including hospitalizations and deaths, are not affected by the reporting issue.




Federal, State, and County Updates

• Mental Health During COVID-19 – With Back-to-Work, Back-to-College, and Back-to-School, these next few days (especially with the heatwave) and possibly weeks may be tough for parents and students starting the school year online. There may be times of frustration with the transition and feelings of anxiety, stress, anger, or depression. The L.A. County Department of Mental Health (DMH) wants to remind parents and caregivers to be on the lookout for signs of anxiety and depression in children. Anxiety and depression can take different forms – being withdrawn, acting out, disobeying, or being fearful. Call the L.A. County DMH 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771; the call is free and confidential. If you are concerned about your child, contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider. If you do not have a health care provider, dial 2-1-1 to be connected to one. COVID-19 is a challenging time for everyone; visit dmh.lacounty.gov for mental health support, resources, referrals, and more information.
• COVID-19 Neighborhood Business Grants – Thanks to generous funding from Lowe's, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is inviting small business owners in 15 locations (includes Los Angeles County) across America to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Neighborhood Business Grants program. The application period is open through August 23. Apply here. Only small businesses located in select locations are eligible to receive the Lowe's Neighborhood Business Grant: Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission. Priority will be given to entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically under-served places who don't have access to flexible, affordable capital. All awardees will have to certify that they are promoting the best interests of the community and are negatively impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Visit lisc.org for more information.
• CARES Act Recovery Assistance Funds – The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LADCA) received a $10.9 million grant to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund that extends credit to small businesses in Los Angeles County. The Fund intends to augment existing business recovery assistance programs to prevent job losses and closure. LADCA will continue financing eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 and offer loans for working capital, equipment, and inventory needs. Eligibility requirements and program details are to be determined. Visit ladca.org for more information.
• Women-Owned Small Business Resources Webinar - Through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Woman-Owned Small Businesses are invited to a webinar on Friday, August 28 at 11:00 AM. The focus of the webinar is to inform women-owned small businesses about the tools available at the three cabinet-level agencies. Webinar topics will include an overview of DOT and HUD small business programs, mission and resources, and SBA Women's Business Ownership Programs, including technical assistance provided through Women Business Centers. Register by August 24.
• Help for Homeowners – Foreclosure Avoidance Options - The COVID-19 crisis has placed incredible strain on household finances across the country. Millions of Americans temporarily suspended their mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Many will soon be asked to repay past due payments but may not be financially stable to meet their obligation. Most borrowers have additional relief options available, but navigating the process during a time of crisis may be daunting. Join DCBA and the Center for Financial Empowerment on Wednesday, August 26, at 2:00 PM to learn about additional relief options. Panelist with review the different options and tell you what you'll need when speaking with your lender. Advance registration is required. Visit dcba.lacounty.gov for more information.
• L.A. County Daily Briefing Statistics on COVID-19L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 57 new deaths and 1,603 new cases of COVID-19 in today's daily report. DPH still anticipates receiving backlog cases from the State electronic lab report (ELR). Data sources that track other key indicators, including hospitalizations and deaths, are not affected by the reporting issue. Given the past ELR delays, DPH urges any person with a positive lab result to call (833) 540-0473 to connect with a Public Health Specialist who can provide information about services and support. To date, Public Health has identified 227,346 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 5,446 deaths; ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Hypertension and diabetes are the most common underlying health conditions among people who died from COVID-19; neurologic conditions and cardiovascular disease are also common. Currently, there are 1,378 confirmed cases currently hospitalized, and 31% are confirmed cases in the ICU. The average length of stay for people who are hospitalized for COVID-19 has shown a steady decline. In early May, the average length of stay was a little over ten days. In late July, the average length of stay had decreased to a little over five days. This may reflect improvements in treatment and a shift in the age distribution of hospitalized patients, with an increase in younger individuals. Testing results are available for more than 2,136,000 individuals, with 10% of all people testing positive. To view DPH's COVID-19 Daily Data, visit lacounty.gov. To view statewide case statistics and demographics, including positive cases, deaths, and testing results, visit covid-19.ca.gov.

The City of Manhattan Beach has proclaimed a Local State of Emergency (PDF) regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Staff continues to monitor and speak with the health experts at Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Their health expertise and guidance are critical to the City’s planning and response to the coronavirus. 

[1] August 19, 2020, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

[2] August 19, 2020, Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

[3] August 20, 2020, Source: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

[4] August 20, 2020, Source:  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/