The new year brings a fresh start and a renewed sense of resilience as we continue to LiveWell during COVID-19. It is also a great time to take stock and create a plan to prioritize your health and well-being. Nutrition, physical activity and preventive care are three ways to jumpstart your healthy living in 2021.
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Vaccine Distribution Phases in Los Angeles County
Due to the limited supply, vaccine distribution will be phased across populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance for the allocation of vaccines and the State health department reviews and finalizes these recommendations for the county to follow.
Los Angeles County is currently in Phase 1A (frontline healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities).
Vaccinating Phase 1B will start in early February, assuming adequate supply of vaccine. There are two tiers in Phase 1B.
- Tier 1: individuals 75 and older, and those at risk of exposure in education, childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture
- Tier 2: persons between the ages of 65 and 74, those at risk of exposure if you work in transportation and logistics; in industrial, commercial and residential and sheltering facilities and services; in critical manufacturing; and congregate settings with outbreak risk including homeless and incarcerated
Click on the image below to see the additional phases and determine which phase you are eligible for.
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To stay informed on the COVID-19 vaccine, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit bchd.org/covidvaccine.
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Did you travel during the holidays?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health asked everyone to avoid large holiday gatherings, gather only with just your immediate household and avoid traveling. However, in spite of their pleas, many people traveled out of the area for the holidays.
Persons arriving in Los Angeles County from anywhere outside of the Southern California Region on or from non-essential travel, including returning Los Angeles County residents, must self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival. This is very important and will help ensure that you are not potentially or unwittingly transmitting the virus to others.
- Quarantine may end after Day 10 if travelers never had any symptoms and they continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after arrival.
- If they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 during the quarantine period, they must isolate as required.
The Southern California Region is defined as the counties of Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
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The Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order will remain in effect for as long as the State Public Health Officer’s Regional Stay at Home remains in effect in the Southern California Region. |
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Hospitals are overwhelmed. What that means for you.
As of January 6, there are 8,023 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 20% of these people are in the ICU. On November 1, the three-day average number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 791. On January 4, the three-day average increased to 7,873. Hospitals are accepting more patients than they can discharge causing a huge strain on our emergency medical system.
The high number of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals is distressing not only for those who have COVID-19, but for all others in the County who need acute care during this time. People who have a stroke or heart attack or who experience a traumatic injury from a car crash are finding it more difficult to access care compared to usual times. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting emergency medical care due to the sheer volume of COVID-19 patients and staffing limitations. These challenges will get worse if we don’t slow COVID-19 spread now.
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Virtual Safe in the South Bay Series: LiveWell During COVID-19
Vaccines 101
Join an esteemed panel of experts to learn up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines and the ways residents, organizations, businesses, schools and the Beach Cities community can support COVID-19 recovery.
Thursday, February 4, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
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Choose to be Part of the Solution
Take the Safe in the South Bay Individual Pledge
By taking the pledge, you are committing to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by protecting yourself and others. In addition to infection control best practices to keep you safe from COVID-19, you pledge to also focus on ways to care for your body, mind and community as we navigate the pandemic, and this new normal, together.
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Mental Health and Happiness January Calendar
Support your mental health and happiness with a range of resources, virtual events and tips. Explore options to reach out, stay connected and boost your resilience. This month, focus on gratitude and accountability. Learn more at bchd.org/series.
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Full Tobacco Retail Ban in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach has a long legacy of protecting the health of its residents through tobacco control policies. In 2014, they banned smoking in all public places; in 2015, they prohibited the sale of flavored products and prevented new retailers from being within 500 feet of schools; also in 2015, they prohibited smoking inside multi-unit housing; and effective January 1, 2021, Manhattan Beach will become the second city in the U.S. to ban the sale of all tobacco and vaping products. For more information, click here.
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Eat Local: Meals for Home Delivery
We have expanded our errand assistance program to now include affordable and healthy meals for home delivery to vulnerable populations and those safer at home in the Beach Cities. Menus are available online and orders can be placed online or by phone. Learn more at bchd.org/mealdelivery.
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Enroll Now for Covered California
Need help navigating the online application? BCHD continues to be a Certified Enrollment Entity and offers enrollment assistance and support for individuals applying for Covered California and Medi-Cal. Please contact (310) 374-3426, ext. 256, for assistance.
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Join the Healthy Minds Initiative
BCHD, in partnership with Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, is running a study on how proper diet and lifestyle can prevent brain disease. The study has transitioned to a virtual environment in response to COVID-19.
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Need help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with health-related information and referrals, or errand assistance and meal delivery, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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Virtual Blue Zones Project Social Hour
Enjoy good company and practice a few Power 9 Principles of Longevity, including Down Shift and Right Tribe. Relax, bring your healthy bites and connect with your community!
Tuesday, January 12
4 – 5 p.m.
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FREE Virtual Talk to the Trainer Events
Talk to BCHD's Center for Health & Fitness Medical Exercise Specialists to get your questions answered! Learn the appropriate exercises, form and more to achieve your fitness goals this year.
Tuesday, January 12, 1-1:45 p.m.
Shoulder Injury Prevention with Brian
Thursday, January 21, 11-11:45 a.m.
Back Care with Jason
Saturday, January 30, 10-10:45 a.m.
Hips and Knees with Chris
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Center for Health & Fitness Virtual Open House
Join BCHD's Center for Health & Fitness for a virtual open house and FREE online live classes.
January 25 – 29
*Classes are offered at various times
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Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, January 27
6:30 p.m.
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Virtual Blue Zones Project Nutrition Workshop
Attend the next Virtual Blue Zones Project® Nutrition Workshop to learn how to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet. For those who cannot attend, recipes and the recorded workshop are posted.
Thursday, January 28
4 – 5 p.m.
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Virtual Maximize Gratitude and Connection Event
This evidence-informed workshop will include reflection, sharing and the opportunity to match with a group of people interested in supporting mental well-being.
Saturday, January 30
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Virtual Mindfulness Drop-in
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques the first Wednesday of each month.
Wednesday, February 3
4 – 4:30 p.m.
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Eating for a Healthy Heart Nutrition Workshop
Enjoy a free workshop on how to eat for better heart health in celebration of February being American heart month.
Thursday, February 4
11 – 11:55 a.m.
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Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
A free parent support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center held in partnership with South Bay Families Connected. Open to all parents.
Mondays
10 – 11 a.m.
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Virtual Happiness Chat
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Tuesdays
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
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#LiveWellAtHome with Live Virtual Exercise Classes
Get unlimited access to all Center for Health & Fitness live virtual exercise classes for $32 monthly. Small Group and Personal Training is also available virtually. Learn more.
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Donate to the Beach Cities COVID-19 Fund
Donations will provide assistance to Beach Cities residents who are income qualified with essentials like groceries, household and cleaning supplies, rent and utility bill assistance and durable medical equipment to help keep them safe at home.
Residents wishing to submit donations by check can mail those to Beach Cities COVID-19 Fund, 1200 Del Amo Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
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COVID-19 Testing at BCHD Campus 514 N. Prospect Ave.
Los Angeles County testing sites, including the BCHD site, currently uses nasal swab tests. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns healthcare providers and patients that the test made by Curative, an oral swab test, carries a risk of false results, particularly false negative results. The BCHD testing site does not use the oral swab.
Los Angeles County's testing criteria includes:
- Those who have COVID-19 symptoms: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
- Those who have had a known exposure to COVID-19, including those who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19
- Those who live or work in a high-risk setting (such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes, residential care facilities and persons experiencing homelessness)
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In accordance with California Department of Health Testing Guidance, testing is also available when there is additional testing capacity if you do not have symptoms and you are an essential worker with frequent contacts with the public in these sectors: health care, emergency services, food and grocery, retail or manufacturing, public transportation, and education. To view a complete list of essential worker groups from the California Department of Public Health, click here.
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If you're unsure if you need a test, check with your health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, call 211 to get a referral.
If you are unable to receive testing through your provider, please continue to check the site for availability at Los Angeles County sites, or make an appointment at a Los Angeles City, state-operated or community testing site such as CVS by visiting covid19.lacounty.gov/testing. Tests are free of charge and are by appointment only.
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Note: Testing does not prevent people from transmitting and getting the virus and is not a substitute for physical distancing, wearing face coverings over your nose and mouth, hand washing and avoiding crowds. |
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What to expect after you've been tested for COVID-19
If you are awaiting testing results, you should stay home and act as if you are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 24 hours after fever subsides and symptoms improve. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should plan on receiving a call from a contact tracer to discuss how to protect themselves and others, to find out where they may have been, and who they were in close contact with while infectious. If you are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, call toll-free at 1-833-540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.
If a person tests negative, they must continue to take every precaution to avoid contracting the virus or spreading the virus to others.
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For more information about COVID-19, visit:
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Healthy Living Campus
Environmental Impact Report Process
The refined draft Healthy Living Campus master plan, presented at the June 17, 2020 BCHD Board of Directors meeting, was developed from more than 60 meetings attended by more than 550 residents and drawing more than 1,000 comments during the last three years regarding elements of the campus.
The Board endorsed a project description to continue the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process — originally started in June 2019 — with the more compact Healthy Living Campus master plan as the basis of the project description. This blueprint will inform the public and project decision-makers about significant environmental effects and identify possible ways to minimize or avoid those effects.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report is expected to be released in early 2021.
The updated, more compact draft master plan includes:
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A Community Wellness Pavilion with public meeting spaces, demonstration kitchen, modernized Center for Health & Fitness, aquatics and more.
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Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a Medicare/Medicaid program that provides comprehensive medical and social services to older adults.
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Fewer Units: Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) units drop from 420 to 220. Pricing has yet to be determined. One plan being considered will offer 10 percent of units at below market rates.
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Smaller New Building Area: New on-campus building area drops 18%
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Less Construction Time: Active construction time is shortened from nine to five years in two phases (instead of three).
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2.5 acres of open space for programming to replace acres of asphalt.
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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As happens with any public project, some facts about the draft master plan and BCHD, in general, have been misunderstood, and in some cases, misrepresented. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Healthy Living Campus: |
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Why do the Beach Cities need a Healthy Living Campus? |
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How has BCHD engaged the community around the Healthy Living Campus? |
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What is PACE and what are the benefits? |
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Is there a need for seismic upgrades? |
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