Full Notification

Current Initiatives and Updates

• Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is Virtual in 2020 – Another Fall tradition in Manhattan Beach that will be virtual due to COVID-19 Public Health Order restrictions is the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. The walk from Manhattan Beach Pier to Hermosa Beach Pier and back supports the children of our community. Since 2009, the event has raised more than $13 million to support the Friendship Foundation and public education. Visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com for details. Information on Manhattan Beach Fall Virtual Programs will be announced soon.
• Contact Tracing Mobile App May Help to Slow the Spread – Contact tracing can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who comes into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 is at increased risk of becoming infected themselves and of potentially infecting others. Check out the Citizen SafePass App to get alerted when you need to get tested for COVID-19. If you've had contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, you'll get a notification to get tested, with options for nearby testing sites. If you test positive, anyone you've been in contact with recently will be notified – without revealing any identifying information about you. Visit the SafePass App for more details.

Latest Numbers on COVID-19

Area	Confirmed Cases (Change)	Deaths (Change)
United States[1]	6,537,627 (+34,597)	194,092 (+387)
California[2]	760,013 (+2,235)	14,451 (+66)
Los Angeles County[3]	255,049 (+474)	6,273 (+47)
City of Manhattan Beach[4]	344 (+1)	5 (+0)

On August 28, the state introduced its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a four-tier framework by which counties are measured for loosening and tightening restrictions on social activities and business operations. As of September 15, 2020, Los Angeles County remains in Tier 1, or purple status representing "widespread" risk, with the most severe restrictions. The Los Angeles County data on the State website reflects 9.1 new COVID-19 cases per day (per 100k) and a 3.2% positivity rate. To move into a tier with fewer restrictions, the County of Los Angeles data must reflect 4-7 new COVID-19 cases per day (per 100k) and a 5-8% positivity rate.

Federal, State, and County Updates

• Testing Recommendations Following Labor Day Weekend – Testing capacity across the County remains high, and appointments are available. L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to get tested if:
  • You are having symptoms of COVID-19;
  • If you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus;
  • If you think there is a chance you were exposed to COVID-19 because you were working, especially in essential services, in a place where you are frequently exposed to other people;
  • If you live in a place where you share living spaces with other people who may be positive for COVID-19; and
  • If you have been in a crowd or gathering where people were close together and not wearing face coverings and keeping their distance.

By finding out if you are positive, even if you have no symptoms yet, you can quickly isolate and prevent other people from becoming infected. If you are interested in being tested for COVID-19, you are encouraged first to contact your Primary Care Provider or Healthcare Center about receiving a test at their facility. The L.A. County operated testing site local to Manhattan Beach is at the Beach Cities Health District campus, 514 North Prospect Avenue in Redondo Beach. Visit lacounty.gov/testing for testing information or call 2-1-1.

• Plan Ahead for Safe and Spooky Halloween – As Fall approaches, many families plan for the holiday season, the first one being Halloween. L.A. County Department of Public Health has published the Guidelines on Celebrating Halloween to help make the holiday as safe as possible while reducing the risk of COVID-19. 
• Cal State Universities and El Camino College Campuses Remain Virtual in the Spring – For the academic term beginning January 2021, all 23 California State University (CSU) campuses will continue with coursework primarily delivered virtually. CSU Chancellor states the decision is the only one that supports safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of faculty, staff, students, and communities, as well as enabling degree progression for the largest number of students. Visit calstate.edu for more information. El Camino College plans are mainly online, with face-to-face classes limited to programs that prepare students for essential industries like healthcare, public safety, and manufacturing. Visit elcamino.edu for more information. For information on the University of California's (U.C.'s) response to COVID-19, visit universityofcalifornia.edu.
• Financial Resilience: Tools for You - The Administration for Community Living (ACL), in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), will host a 30-minute webinar on Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 AM on Financial Resilience. Hear experts from the FDIC and CFPB give real-world examples of how to be more financially prepared for emergencies and disasters and increase economic resilience. Visit acl.gov for more information, other resources, and to register for the webinar. 
• Prepare for Disasters Webinar - September is National Preparedness Month, and this year's theme is "Disasters Don't Wait. Make your Plan Today." Join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, and the Insurance Information Institute on Wednesday, September 16, at 11:00 AM for a live webinar on preparing for severe weather, future COVID-19 interruptions, and other disasters. To learn more and to register for the webinar, visit sba.gov.
• TSA Checkpoint Updates to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reassures travelers it has taken aggressive steps to ensure aviation security while protecting them from COVID-19. TSA's ongoing "Stay Healthy. Stay Secure." campaign designed to help travelers understand the many protective measures the agency has implemented at security checkpoints to make the screening process safer for passengers as well as the TSA workforce. A temporary exemption to TSA rules is allowing one oversized liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags. Visit tsa.gov for more information.
• Support for Tenants Facing Eviction - The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors launched a program titled Stay Housed L.A. County to provide support for tenants facing eviction. The countywide initiative provides legal assistance, information, resources, and support for residents facing eviction to keep their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Know Your Rights workshops are available to residents with critical information about permanent and emergency tenant protections. Community organizations will provide ongoing support to help tenants with case management. Visit stayhousedla.org for details.
• Community-Based Strategies for Suicide Prevention Among Older Adults – The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is hosting a webinar to discuss the prevalence of suicide among older adults. ACL will also address the unique risk factors present for an aging population both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar, titled Community-Based Strategies for Suicide Prevention Among Older Adults, will be held on September 28 at 11:00 AM. Visit acl.gov for more information and to register.  
• Actions in Response to COVID-19 – The Governor signed several legislative bills in response to COVID-19, which includes:
  • AB 276 Personal income taxes, qualified employer plan loans, and CARES Act;
  • AB 908 Pupils extracurricular activities work permits;
  • AB 1350 Retroactive grant of high school diplomas; and
  • AB 1859 School district employees merit systems and appointments.

• National Small Business Week Virtual Conference September 22-24 – As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and co-sponsors will host virtual events on September 22-24, 2020. This year's National Small Business Week activities will include numerous educational panels providing re-tooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation's small businesses pivot and contribute to a stronger economy. Attend the free online conference that will help both new and existing businesses recover, adapt, and innovate in this challenging time. Register and visit sba.gov for more information.
• Contracts Awarded to Develop COVID-19 Digital Health Technology - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded contracts to companies and academic institutions to develop digital health solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The work could lead to user-friendly tools such as smartphone apps, wearable devices, and software that can let more people return to less restricted living and reduce the risk of devastating outbreaks. For more information and the list of digital health contract solutions awarded, visit nih.gov.
• Rethinking Employment Services With the Most Vulnerable – Many organizations and agencies that provide employment services for people with disabilities are adapting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) participated in a webinar on rethinking employment services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 era. View the presentation from the webinar on acl.gov.
• engAGED Social Isolation Virtual Summit – Join engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults for an interactive discussion with leaders from the Aging Network who will discuss ways to reduce social isolation and increase engagement among older adults. On Thursday, September 24, at 11:00 AM, a virtual summit takes place. Hear from national leaders and local experts who will highlight innovations that address social isolation in diverse communities and how technology is helping to foster engagement during COVID-19. Visit acl.gov for summit details.
• L.A. County Daily Briefing Statistics on COVID-19 – DPH confirmed 47 new deaths, one new case of COVID-19 in Manhattan Beach, and 474 new cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County in today's daily report. The lower number of new cases, in part, reflect reduced testing due to wildfire smoke and recent extreme weather. To date, Public Health has identified 255,049 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,273 deaths. Nearly 70% of all cases have occurred in people under the age of 50. Per Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health, another person under 29 years old has died. Younger people not only are the majority of individuals infected and infecting others but also can experience devastating consequences themselves. Nearly 450 COVID-19 deaths have occurred among individuals under the age of 50 years old. That is why it is important for everyone, including younger residents, to take precautions every time they leave their homes and to get tested if they have been exposed to the virus. Testing results are available for more than 2,465,000 individuals, with 10% of all people testing positive. Currently, there are 772 confirmed cases currently hospitalized, and 33% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. The downward trend in hospitalizations continues. 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.

COVID-19 Update from the City of Manhattan Beach (PDF)

[1] September 14, 2020, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

[2] September 14, 2020, Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

[3] September 15, 2020, Source: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

[4] September 15, 2020, Source:  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/