Blueprint for a Safer Economy
On August 28, the State revised their recovery road map and created an updated, color-coded Tier Framework that classifies each county based on their daily case rate and positivity rate. This tiered system will guide possible sector re-openings for each county to consider.
Although the State lists permitted activities in each Tier, it is important to note that the County may be more restrictive than State guidance. The ultimate decisions about sector re-openings will remain under the purview of the local Health Officer Orders that are developed in consultation with the Board of Supervisors.
Los Angeles County is currently in Tier 1 (Purple) - meaning that there continues to be widespread transmission of the virus in the county. The current adjusted number of new cases per day per 100,000 people is 9.6, down from 13.1 two weeks ago. And even though the County’s current test positivity rate of 4.3% puts us in Tier 3 (Orange) for this metric, when the two metrics fall in different tiers the state places counties in the most restrictive tier. Therefore, the County, like most counties in California, has been placed in Tier 1.
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New Health Officer Order
On September 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to allow for limited, on-campus operation for schools as well as limited in-door operations of hair salons and barbershops. Read the Health Officer Order here.
Hair Salons and Barbershops: Hair salons and barbershops can re-open for indoor services at 25% occupancy provided they are in full compliance with the Health Officer’s protocols. If your hair salon or barbershop has been operating outdoors, please continue to do so and use your 25% occupancy for those services you are not able to provide outdoors.
Schools: Beginning Monday, September 14, schools K-12 may offer in-school services for small cohorts of (up to 12) students as long as the school is able to fully implement the Health Officer’s reopening protocols. These students include:
- Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
- Students requiring instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Students needing assessments or specialized in-school services
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will not be opening the waiver program for instruction of students in grades TK-6 at this time.
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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and COVID-19
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19.
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Contact your child’s doctor or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of MIS-C:
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Neck pain
- Rash
- Bloodshot eyes
- Feeling extra tired
*Not every child will exhibit the same signs and symptoms.
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Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs:
- Trouble breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
- Severe abdominal pain
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COVID-19 and the Flu
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two. Learn more.
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Avoid COVID-19 Scams
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. During the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have quickly found ways to swindle people out of money and are taking advantage of the community during this time of anxiety and confusion.
Beware of scams related to COVID-19 testing, treatments and cures, price gouging, fake charities, stimulus check scams, fake helpers, identity theft, contact tracing and phishing scams.
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Complete the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is underway, and everyone has a right to be included. Census takers may contact you to ask about your home life or relatives, but will never ask you for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or any health insurance information.
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Healthy Living Campus Facts
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. We have addressed some of the most misleading statements on www.bchdcampus.org/faq
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What do you think about an Aquatics Facility?
BCHD is looking for your input on a potential aquatics facility as part of our Healthy Living Campus master plan. Since our goal is to create a Campus that is community-focused, we hope you will take a few minutes to complete the survey.
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Thank You to Our Generous Donors
Thank you to our generous donors who have donated to the Beach Cities COVID-19 Fund. Because of your kindness, vulnerable Beach Cities residents who are income qualified are able to receive essentials like groceries, rental assistance and household cleaning supplies delivered to their doorstep — enabling them to remain safely in their homes during this uncertain time.
Due to the generosity of our donors and the community, the Beach Cities Health District COVID-19 Fund has been able to waive the total cost or partial costs for over 220 meals from our meal delivery service program and waived partial cost or total cost for over 150 grocery deliveries.
Thank You to Our Donors
Sheri Benator
Karen and Patrick Blanchard
Bonny Cook
The Crompton Family
Elizabeth Hankin
Gary and Diane Hastings
The Lauritson Family
Nancy Maben
Marilyn Rafkin
Tanya Rutter
JoAnne Sanger
Richard Schremser
Dan Smith
Judith and David Ward
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Virtual Mental Health & Happiness: An Introduction to the Series
This introduction provides an overview of the series designed to support well-being through gratitude, empathy, bravery and purpose. Learn techniques to build a practice supporting stress resilience and positive social connections.
September 18
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
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Savvy Express: Free Virtual Caregiver Workshops
Savvy Express is a 3-week program specially designed to benefit someone providing care for an individual living with dementia by providing more understanding and tools to help navigate the journey.
Tuesdays, September 15, 22 and 29
2 - 4 p.m.
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Virtual Moai Social: Book Discussion
We will discuss "Mastering Your Motivation: Three Scientific Truths for Achieving Your Goals" by Susan Fowler. Kathleen Terry will guide us on how each of us can stop bad habits, start new ones and support ourselves and others in setting meaningful goals that we are motivated to accomplish.
Wednesday, September 23
4 p.m.
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Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, September 23
6:30 p.m.
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Virtual Active Aging Week October 5 - 9 |
Mark your calendars for Active Aging Week and take action toward maintaining and improving your health. Enjoy free virtual lectures from Dr. William Kim, BCHD's Chief Medical Officer, Dianne Staso, CHF's Registered Dietitian and local health experts.
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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
Get unlimited access to all Center for Health & Fitness live virtual exercise classes for a monthly fee of $32. Small Group Training is also available virtually for $12 per class. Learn more.
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COVID-19 Testing at BCHD Campus 514 N. Prospect
As cases are prevalent in Los Angeles County, many residents believe they need to get tested for COVID-19. However, Los Angeles County health officials stress that not everyone needs to be tested.
A COVID-19 test does not protect you from the virus, and a negative result should not be seen as a reason to engage in risky social behavior. Even when you test negative today, you could still test positive tomorrow.
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.
If you're unsure if you need a test, check with your health care provider. Unless you have specific symptoms, live in a high-risk setting or have had close contact with someone who has a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, you may not need to be tested, and your health care provider can talk with you about your concerns.
If you don’t have a doctor, call 211 to get a referral. Essential workers should also consider their risk exposure history in consultation with their provider, their occupational health advisor and public health department.
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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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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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We Can All Be Health Leaders
In addition to physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings when we are around others, we all still need to take the same precautions that we were taking earlier on in the pandemic - wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and self-isolate if you are sick. These actions combined are the best defense against 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, seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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As of 9/8/2020
Note: Due to technology issues with the electronic laboratory system at the state-level, COVID-19 cases have been under reported for Los Angeles County. Once the data reporting issues are fixed, the number of cases is expected to increase. Data sources that track other key indicators, including hospitalizations and deaths, are not affected by this reporting issue.
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For more information about COVID-19, visit:
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