We are approaching the symbolic start of the summer season with good news related to COVID-19 spread, vaccination progress and new, less restrictive rules just weeks away.
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An article in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune took a look at the latest COVID-19 numbers and found that hospitalizations have dipped below 100 for the first time since April 2020.
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We have seen five days in a row with new cases under 100, something also not seen in over a year.
- Sunday’s report of new cases was at 25, the lowest single day since March 21, 2020.
Local metrics
- Here in Carlsbad, we have gone from an active case high of 693 on Jan. 11 to a low of 31 yesterday.
- In May, so far, we are averaging about 5.5 new cases a day in Carlsbad, but in the last two weeks, only about three new cases a day.
- San Diego County’s state-calculated, adjusted case rate is currently 2.4 cases per 100,000 residents, down from 3.4 last week.
- The testing positivity percentage for the county is 1.5%, down just slightly from 1.6% last week.
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Detailed case information is available here.
Vaccination update
A successful vaccination program is being credited for the positive trends in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Last Thursday the county announced a major milestone: more than half of county residents 12 and older are now fully vaccinated, and just over two-thirds have received at least one shot of the two-shot vaccines.
- Doses delivered: More than 4 million.
- Doses administered: Almost 3.57 million.
- Received at least one shot: Over 1.9 million or 67.9% of San Diegans 12 and older.
- Fully vaccinated: Over 1.47 million or 52.5%.
Unlike the early days of the national vaccination effort, the region now has more supply of vaccines than there is demand. To help reach people who may have had difficulty getting to vaccination sites, county officials announced they plan to expand the number of mobile vaccination sites, with a list of new vaccination events stretching into late June at businesses, churches and religious centers, community and senior centers, and other locations.
Our health is worth a shot
County officials also announced they have created a “Youth Leadership” video and visual art vaccine challenge/contest, that started Monday, May 24, and will allow submissions through June 14, to engage the county’s youth in the vaccination effort. Youths in three age groups, from 12 to 24 years old, can win prizes for submitting videos and personal artwork about COVID-19 vaccinations. Categories include:
- Short videos about why getting vaccinated was important to them personally
- Short videos highlighting what they’re most excited about getting back to after being fully vaccinated
- Art showing positive facts about COVID-19 vaccinations (paintings, memes, posters, handouts, flyers or infographics)
The “Our Health is Worth a Shot,” contest will offer prizes in each of the three age categories. For more information, see the County’s Youth Challenge Contest website.
Moderna testing in 12 to 17-year-olds
Moderna has found that 12 to 17-year-olds have an antibody response similar to that experienced by adults, which means the company will soon apply for emergency use authorization for this age group. Pfizer’s trials in younger children are ongoing but expected to take longer than the adolescent trials because researchers need to determine the right dose for children 2 to 12 years old. Pfizer’s results could come in September or October. Johnson & Johnson has not yet started trials for children.
Travel updates
The Transportation Security Administration held a news conference yesterday ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer travel season. According to the TSA, last Sunday air travel in the United States was at the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic, about 90% of the number of travelers on the same day in 2019 and seven times as high as that day in 2020.
TSA officials attribute the jump to pent-up demand for traveling in general and visiting long-distance friends and family now that vaccines are widely available.
The head of the TSA was asked if mask rules would change now that the CDC has issued new guidance for people who have been vaccinated. Current TSA mask rules are in effect through Sept. 13. There are no immediate plans to change the rules, but the TSA is leaving the door open if data becomes available supporting looser restrictions on planes.
Even though the TSA has increased staffing, travelers are urged to arrive early to allow enough time to get through security checkpoints.
State COVID rates
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National COVID rates
In this map, you can see that overall California is doing better than most states (the lighter the color, the fewer the cases).
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International travel
International travel is more complicated, with some parts of the world still very much in the throes of COVID-19 spread. The CDC has detailed information on its website.
In other news …
Last night we held a town hall meeting on homelessness for residents of City Council District 2, the first of four town halls on the topic. About 40 people participated in a discussion with members of our homeless response team, asking questions and providing feedback. One of the hot topics was hotel voucher programs.
The city is creating a new program to help women, families, people living in encampments, those 65 and older and others experiencing homelessness get into stable housing so they can better access services and transition into permanent housing. Neighbors who live near motels around Avenida Encinas are concerned about recent increases in crime and are worried that it’s because of our city’s motel voucher program. It’s not. The city’s program is still being developed and will include on-site security guards, behavioral health clinicians and other support staff. Participants will be expected to follow health and safety rules as well as work with a case manager to develop a long-term housing plan to remain active in the program.
Our assistant police chief explained last night that sometimes general crime issues are attributed to homelessness when the crimes might actually not be perpetrated by members of the homeless population. The police department is aware of and actively working to address resident concerns about crime and other neighborhood quality of life issues. Please let them know of any suspicious activity you notice so they can follow up. The nonemergency number is 760-931-2197. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
We will post links to meeting videos on our website so you can listen to the discussion, and we will be updating the site with answers to the questions asked during the meetings. The video and questions from the first two meetings should be up by Friday. Here is the schedule of the remaining meetings. We have organized them by City Council district, but if you can’t make the one for your area, please feel free to attend any of the other meetings. Links to sign up are below, and you can get more information about the meetings here.
Thursday, June 3, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 26, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
City Council redistricting
We are getting ready to open up applications for an independent redistricting commission as part of the upcoming adjustment to City Council district boundaries. Every 10 years, following the Census, we need to update district boundaries, so all four City Council districts are balanced in terms of population.
The City Council decided to create an independent commission to make the final decision about district maps. Members will be drawn at random among eligible applicants, according to the following criteria:
- 7 members (2 Republican, 2 Democratic, 3 other) (1 from each district, 3 citywide)
- 3 alternates (1 Democratic, 1 Republican, 1 other)
To be eligible, you must be registered to vote in Carlsbad and have lived here for at least three years. I’ll share a link to the application once it’s available next week. Please consider getting involved in this once-a-decade opportunity.
Only the best
We here in Carlsbad are very proud of our city, and now we have one more reason. Yep, Carlsbad officially has the best sewage system in the region for cities our size.
The California Water Environment Association awarded the City of Carlsbad the San Diego region wastewater Collection System of the Year. The award is given to wastewater agencies in recognition of outstanding maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, and safety and training procedures. This is the third time in the last five years that we have won this award.
Staff who work on the city’s wastewater system are a dedicated, innovative group of professionals who take pride in providing reliable, cost-effective and efficient sewer service. This is one of many city services that can easily be taken for granted, until you consider that before modern sewage treatment, all manner of diseases were spread through sewage, not to mention other unpleasantness.
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Welcome, Amigo
We were thrilled to welcome our volunteers back to Leo Carrillo Ranch History Park last week, following extensive COVID-19 protocol and safety training. These volunteer docents are integral to park operations including teaching visitors about ranch history and monitoring the security of the irreplaceable cultural and natural resources.
Speaking of docents, I highly recommend watching this Channel 8 story from last week featuring 95-year-old park docent Pricilla Rauch and her “horse,” Amigo. Amigo recently took up residence in the historic stables at the ranch, following a journey that started in Oceanside more than 40 years ago.
If you’ve never been to Leo Carrillo Ranch, please put it on your list. We acquired the property in the 1970s and, following extensive restoration, opened it to the public as part of the city’s parks system. The park is tucked away near the corner of Poinsettia Lane and Melrose Drive, and in spite of its central location, when you’re there, you truly get the feeling of what Carlsbad might have felt like in the early 1900s.
Whether you take me up on this idea or have other plans in store for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, please be safe, follow all health regulations (which don’t change for us until June 15) and continue to #Care4Carlsbad.
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
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