Oct. 8, 2020
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting our staff shared their usual updates on the city’s COVID-19 response efforts. I say “usual” because we have been doing this every two weeks since the beginning of the pandemic. I am a numbers person by nature, so I really like these updates. But I also like them because it’s a chance to hear from all parts of our city organization and be reminded of the good work happening, a lot of which would otherwise be behind the scenes.

I don’t want to ever take for granted that the Fire Department is managing procurement of personal protective equipment to maintain ample supply for our first responders. Staff working in our planning and building departments have had no break in activity, since construction was deemed from the outset to be an essential activity. We conducted 341 building inspections in the July/August timeframe, compared to 358 last year. Staff even created a video inspection program so inspectors don’t need to have an in person visit for certain types of projects. We’ve issued 72 permits for businesses to move operations outdoors, with 22 more in process.
 
Even though libraries have been closed until the recent addition of computer hours, we have processed 3,067 new library accounts since March. We started curbside service in July, with 75,524 materials checked out so far. Since we started accepting returns, we’ve had 86,321 items brought back!

As of last week, staff in our Parks & Recreation Department have provided 30,000 free meals to local seniors in need. Fun fact: staff who work at the pick-up location have established themed dress up days to provide a little levity to the process. This is always good for a few extra smiles!

I could go on – these are only examples from one branch of the city – Community Services. There is so much more. I share this not to brag (okay, I do like to brag about our team), but to show the sheer volume of work that goes on every day in your city, all with the goal of making the lives of our residents just a little better. Plus, this week is Customer Service Week, which has me thinking about all of our city workers who provide so many different kinds of service to our community.

Staying in the red tier
At Tuesday’s state briefing, San Diego County met the criteria to stay in the red tier, so we have at least two more weeks without any changes to health rules. Here are the latest numbers:

  • San Diego’s state-calculated, adjusted case rate is 6.5. The trigger is more than 7
  • The testing positivity percentage is 3.3%. The trigger is more than 8%

The state unveiled a new measure on Tuesday designed to increase focus on communities most vulnerable to COVID-19. The idea behind the “equity measure” is to make sure counties are addressing those most in need of support. So, similar to the testing adjustment, our case numbers could be adjusted based on how targeted segments of the community are faring. You can read about this new measure on the California Department of Public Health’s website.

Statewide, counties continue to move into better tiers (just one moved down a tier). The map below shows the latest status.
Carlsbad cases
Since my update last Tuesday, 16 more cases have been reported in Carlsbad for a total of 742. We estimate that 41 of those cases are currently active.
 
Cases countywide
There have been 515 new cases reported countywide since my update Tuesday, for a new total of 49,175. Sadly, 10 more people have lost their lives countywide to COVID-19 since my Tuesday report for a new total of 813.
 
Community setting outbreaks
In the past seven days reported (Sept. 30 through Oct. 6), 15 community outbreaks were confirmed. Nine outbreaks were reported yesterday: 1 Restaurant Bar, 1 Grocery, 3 Businesses, 2 Restaurants, 1 Food Processing, 1 Hair Salon/Barbershop.

Here is a link to all the updated charts and graphs.

City art gallery reopened
If your reaction to this headline was, “the city has an art gallery?” have I got a real treat for you! Tucked into the Dove Library complex, right off the courtyard, is the William D. Cannon Art Gallery, a true gem for local art lovers. Just in time for National Arts and Humanities Month, we are proud to reopen the gallery to the public with a new exhibit: “Four Visions: A Celebration of the Year of the Woman.” The installation features four local multi-generational female artists, Anne Mudge (sculpture), Kline Swonger (mixed-media and sculpture), Marisol Rendón (drawing) and Bianca Juarez (ceramics). It is one of the most distinctive and contemporary exhibits presented to date in the Cannon Gallery.

The gallery’s hours will coincide with Dove Library’s interior computer service hours: currently Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We have taken all recommended health precautions and require all visitors to wear face coverings and keep their distance from those not in their own households. If we reach the recommended maximum occupancy, you might have to wait a bit, but our library café has also recently reopened so you can always enjoy a little peace and quiet and a snack while you wait. Here is more information about the exhibit.

Water Professionals Week
Forgive the water pun, but when it rains, it pours! I started with some staff kudos, and I’m going to end with more. This week also happens to be Water Professionals Week, which is an opportunity to recognize all the people who make sure when you turn on the tap, you get a safe and reliable water supply. The City of Carlsbad has its own water district, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, serving about 80 percent of the city. The Vallecitos Water District and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District provide service to the other 20 percent.

Please join me in thanking these hard-working professionals who have dedicated their careers to ensuring one of the most fundamental human needs – access to clean drinking water – is something we have the luxury of taking for granted! 
I’ll be back next Tuesday with the latest developments. Whatever you end up doing this weekend, please remember to model good public health practices and continue to show the world that Carlsbad is a community where people care for one another!

  • Avoid crowds
  • Maintain a 6 foot distance from people outside your own household
  • Cover your face when you leave home
  • Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19
  • Wash your hands often

Scott Chadwick
City Manager
City of Carlsbad | Website