Full Notification

Current Initiatives and Updates

• Beautiful Time in the Neighborhood to Shop and Dine Locally – Outdoors is better than indoors, and walking to our local businesses is great for back-to-school and back-to-work shopping! While out, curbside dining is always an option. Don't forget outdoor dining hours are extended to 11:00 PM. There are local businesses in North Manhattan Beach and Shops in Manhattan Village open for curbside service. Local companies that have taken the Safe in the South Bay Pledge are compliant with the L.A. County Re-opening Health Protocols to protect their employees and customers from spreading COVID-19. Supporting local Manhattan Beach businesses is a way to care for your community. Look for the Safe in the South Bay Pledge signs in the windows of the places you choose to shop and dine! Businesses interested in taking the pledge should visit manhattanbeachchamber.com. Whatever you do and wherever you go, remember to wear a face covering!

Latest Metrics in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Update - As of September 22, 2020, Los Angeles County remains in Tier One, with "widespread" risk and the most restrictions. According to the State's website, L.A. County reflects 7.7 new COVID-19 cases per day (per 100k), with an adjusted case rate for tier assignment of 7.0; the positivity rate is 2.8%.

• Tier Two - Los Angeles County has met the metric thresholds for Tier Two ("substantial risk"). However, per State guidelines, Los Angeles County must continue to meet these metric thresholds for two consecutive weeks before moving into Tier Two.

Federal, State, and County Updates

• Webinar on Social Isolation and Loneliness – The Administration for Community Living, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute on Aging will host a webinar series focused on aging. The first webinar on Monday, September 28, at 11:00 AM, will discuss how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults' health and well-being, particularly amid the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Human beings are social creatures, thriving on connections with others. These connections can reduce social isolation and loneliness and lower risk for various physical and mental health conditions. Visit nih.gov for more information on the webinar series and to register.
• Actions in Response to COVID-19 – The Governor signed an executive order to address actions in response to COVID-19 that includes:
  • An extension authorizing local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through March 31, 2021;
  • Protecting local health officers and other public health officials on the front lines of the fight against the virus to participate in the Secretary of State's address-confidentiality program;
  • Allowing the Department of Managed Health Care to gather information to assess the impacts of the pandemic on health care providers and health care service plans; and
  • Allowing certain postings, filings, and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to be fulfilled electronically.
• IRS Highlights Employer Credits for Businesses During Small Business Week – During Small Business Week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds business owners and self-employed individuals of the employer credits available to them during COVID-19. The Employee Retention Credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The Paid Sick Leave Credit is designed to allow a business credit for an employee who is unable to work (including telework) because of Coronavirus quarantine, self-quarantine or has Coronavirus symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis. These credits were specially created to help small business owners during this unprecedented time. Visit IRS.gov for more information.
• OSHA Update on Face Coverings in Hot and Humid Conditions – During the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA recommends that employers encourage workers to wear cloth face coverings indoors and outdoors at work to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, workers who wear cloth face coverings in hot and humid environments or while performing strenuous activities outdoors, such as those in agriculture, landscaping, construction, delivery services, and oil and gas operations, can find cloth face coverings to be uncomfortable. In hot and humid conditions, OSHA provides guidelines for employers to follow. Visit osha.gov for more information.
• CDC CARES Act Funds COVID-19 Vaccine Program - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced upcoming action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for COVID-19 vaccine preparedness. CDC will work through the existing Immunizations and Vaccines for Children infrastructure cooperative agreement. These funds, along with the previous support CDC has provided, will help states prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine program. Visit cdc.gov for more information.

• Projections in Healthcare / Predictive Modeling – Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) released the COVID-19 Projections of Hospital-based Health Care Demand September 23 Update. Key findings include:
  • The number of new patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization each day across Los Angeles County appears to be level or starting to increase;
  • The estimated transmission number ("R") is now 1.02, with an uncertainty of 0.95 to 1.09. Last week the estimate was 0.95 with an uncertainty of 0.85 to 1.05. If R remains above one, the number of cases will increase over time;
  • The model suggests that about 0.13% (uncertainty of 0.08% to 0.21%) of everyone in Los Angeles County is currently infected and infectious to others;
  • This suggests about 1 in 770 (between 1 in 1300 and 1 in 470) Los Angeles County residents are currently infectious to others. Last week this estimate was 1 in 1060; and
  • The transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County is changing over time. With different patterns in different geographic areas, more detailed geographical analysis is required to identify specific communities needing additional support in identifying cases and limiting spread.
• L.A. County Daily Briefing Statistics on COVID-19 – L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed 39 new deaths, three new case of COVID-19 in Manhattan Beach, and 1,165 new cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County in today's daily report. To date, DPH has identified 264,414 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,455 deaths. Testing results are available for more than 2,592,000 individuals, with 9% of all people testing positive. Currently, there are 753 confirmed cases currently hospitalized, and 28% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. 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.

• CDC Guidance for Re-opening Buildings – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention published guidance on re-opening buildings after prolonged shutdown or reduced operation. Considerations include mold awareness and remediation, legionella (the cause of Legionnaires' disease), and lead and copper contamination. Visit cdc.gov for information.
• COVID-19 and Food Safety – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), response to COVID-19 Weekly Update, recently reported on food safety. Work done by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) indicates that so far, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 (the strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) has been transmitted by food, food packaging, or food handling. Visit dhs.gov for more information.
• Pandemic Recovery Funds for Small Nonprofits - The L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund grant application is open for small nonprofits to apply through September 25. Approximately 100 grants of $75,000 will be awarded; winners are chosen through a randomized application system. Visit lacovidfund.org for more information.
• Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Contribute to a Stronger Economy– Celebrate American entrepreneurship and tune in to the virtual conference starting tomorrow to learn how small businesses can recover, adapt, and innovate during these challenging times. 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. Register to attend the free online conference;  visit sba.gov for more information.
• Small Business Opportunity to "Grow with Google" Workshop Series – The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will launch the "Grow with Google" workshop series on September 22 to help California small businesses grow their digital footprints. The workshop series is offered several times through October 7. The topics include:
  • Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps: Learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps;
  • Make Your Website Work for You: discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help; and
  • Use YouTube to Grow Your Business: get best practices for creating a YouTube Channel and compelling video content that promotes your products and services and drives engagement with your brand. Visit business.ca.gov for more information and to register.

• Actions in Response to COVID-19 – The Governor signs bills in response to COVID-19, including:
  • AB 1876 expanding access to California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), which will bolster immigrant family facing COVID-19 induced recession and boost economic growth; and
  • SB 1383 ensures job-protected leave for Californians who work for an employer with five or more employees to bond with a newborn, care for a seriously ill family member, address a military exigency or care for their own illness.
• Clinical Trials to Test Convalescent Plasma Against COVID-19 - Clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are expanding enrollment to further evaluate convalescent plasma as a treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Preliminary observational studies indicate that convalescent plasma may improve outcomes among severely ill and hospitalized patients with COVID-19.  The trial expects to enroll approximately 1,000 hospitalized patients 18 years or older with respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 and assess clinical improvement at 14 and 28 days and evaluate outcomes based on mortality, intensive care unit admission, and patient antibody concentrations. Visit nih.gov for more information.

[1] September 23, 2020, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html

[2] September 23, 2020, Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

[3] September 24, 2020, Source: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

[4] September 24, 2020, Source:  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/