My update today is coming a little later than usual. That’s because, as you might have seen, new guidance has come out, first from the CDC, then the County of San Diego and just this afternoon from the state. As always, I’ll provide links to the source documents and details below, but here is what’s been going on:
- COVID-19 case numbers are back where they were after the holidays.
- The CDC has new data showing how variants (including the Delta variant) spread among people who are vaccinated.
- The CDC is now recommending wearing a mask in indoor public settings, regardless of your vaccination status, in areas with a high level of spread.
What’s different
Health restrictions have typically become tighter when cases spike, but several things are different this time around:
- Vaccines are widely available and appear to be effective at preventing serious illnesses. In San Diego County, 98% of hospitalizations in the last 30 days are among people who are not fully vaccinated.
- Health experts are still learning about new variants, some of which are much more easily spread.
Recommended vs required
You may have read that Los Angeles County is requiring masks indoors. The County of San Diego is recommending indoor masking, not requiring it.
Masks continue to be required at the following locations, regardless of vaccination status (no changes here):
- On public transit, such as buses, trains, airplanes, ferries, taxis and ride services, and in the areas that serve those, such as airports, transit stations, etc.
- Indoors in K-12 schools, child care and other youth settings
- Healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities
- Detention facilities
- Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers
Businesses and other organizations may require masks, so be sure to check for signs before entering.
The City of Carlsbad is following the county’s guidance for members of the public visiting our buildings, meaning masks are required for those not fully vaccinated and recommended for those who are.
Local situation
The indoor mask guidance applies to counties with 50 or more cases per 100,000 in population. At last count, San Diego County had 192 cases per 100,000 in population over the past week. You can see this data and more on the CDC website.
In Carlsbad, we track active COVID-19 cases. The latest number of active cases is 162. This is the highest number since Feb. 22 of this year.
Looking at the county’s dashboard, you can see where all the indicators are as of today. Although some triggers have been passed, others are still in the green, notably new hospitalizations (this was in the red last week), hospital capacity, ICU capacity and ventilator availability.
|
|
P.S. In case you’re wondering why the county’s case numbers are so different from what the CDC data show, it’s because the CDC is tracking the total number of new cases over a seven-day period. The county is showing the daily average number of cases over a seven-day period.
Vaccine access
The county has consolidated its vaccine centers into what it’s calling the “Great Eight,” a collection of geographically distributed no-cost vaccination sites that allow people to choose any one of the three vaccines available in the United States, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. For a list of locations and more information, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine.
Vaccines also continue to be available through pharmacies and private healthcare providers. No matter where you get your vaccine, there will be no charge.
I know it is disappointing to see cases going up again and everything that comes with that. I also know that the Carlsbad community will do its part, just as we have all along. We continue to have the lowest case rate in the county among cities 50,000 and larger. That is thanks to all of us working together. Let’s keep it up (or, I guess if we’re talking case rates, let’s keep ‘em down!).
In other news…
City Council vacancy update
Last night the City Council approved the application and interview process to fill the District 1 City Council vacancy. The application is available now and due no later than Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. Included in the process is an opportunity for District 1 residents to submit topics they would like to be part of the public interview process, which is scheduled for Aug. 24. All candidates will have five minutes to address the City Council and answer questions. Find out more here.
Redistricting commission holds first meeting
Our newly formed independent redistricting commission will hold its first meeting Thursday (tomorrow) at 6:30 p.m. in our City Council chamber. The meeting will also be streamed on our website and cable channel. The agenda includes some housekeeping and background information as well as an overview of the redistricting process and the commission’s role. One of the things we’ll ask the commission to do is approve the public meeting schedule. We are planning several, starting in August, so everyone has a chance to weigh in on new City Council district boundaries. Find out more here.
Meet your new chief
In September we will officially welcome a new Police Chief, following the retirement of Chief Neil Gallucci. Although Assistant Chief Mickey Williams has been with the City of Carlsbad for 26 years, including raising his own family here, he is new to this role. That’s why we are providing opportunities for community members to meet him in person, share their ideas and priorities, or just say, “hi.” Throughout the month of August, we will hold evening outdoor get-togethers at city parks (one in each City Council district). Your district City Council member will be on hand too, as well as other members of the Police Department. Find out more here.
The city will share more news and updates later this week in our This Week in Carlsbad newsletter. In the meantime, please stay safe, be well and continue to #Care4Carlsbad.
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
