A Note from our CEO
In May, my note for this newsletter was about all we had accomplished in the battle against COVID-19 and how optimistic we and our community were with the economy preparing to reopen. Now, just a few weeks after that reopening, the virus has reminded us just how serious it is as we watch case numbers and hospitalizations rise.
When the economy reopened June 15, the Delta variant was beginning to spread in the U.S., and it is now the predominant strain of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and we (vaccinated or not) are back to wearing face masks to try and slow the spread of this more contagious form of the virus. I want you to know that BCHD will continue to be a resource for the community as we battle this virus together.
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Self-Monitoring as Part of Self-Care: Mental Health Warning Signs to Watch For
By Kerianne Lawson, Chief Programs Officer
August is back to school season and families and students are checking in to make sure they have all they need for a successful school year. Registration and classes? Check. School supplies? Check. Face masks? Check. Now is also a great time to check in on your own health and well-being, specifically your mental health.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have felt overwhelmed, overworked, isolated and disconnected. From the lack of physical connection and countless days stuck at home, you may have experienced not as many “good” days as you would if it were a normal year. And you may have high expectations for the relief you “should” feel as you resume your usual activities.
As we transition once more, you may be surprised to find that it’s not as easy to be back out in the world as you had expected it to be.
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From the COVID-19 Frontline: Delta Variant
By William Kim, M.D., Chief Medical Advisor
The Delta variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. Specimens sequenced by several labs serving Southern California, including the County Public Health lab show the Delta variant is on the rise, representing 96% of the specimens collected for sequencing from July 18-24. This is consistent with the rise of the Delta variant nationwide, as just two weeks ago, the CDC estimated that Delta strains accounted for 83% of COVID-19 cases. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has stated that the Delta variant is more efficiently transmitted between people, likely due to its faster replication, higher viral load and greater affinity for lower respiratory tract cells compared with earlier COVID-19 strains.
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Take our Community Health Survey!
Beach Cities Health District is asking residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach to take its Community Health Survey to better understand local health needs. Residents are encouraged to fill out the survey to ensure their health needs will be taken into consideration when BCHD determines its health priorities.
The last day to complete the survey is Monday, August 30 and the survey takes about 20 minutes to complete.
When you have completed the survey, you will have the option to enter an opportunity drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the BeachLife Festival or gift cards to Blue Zones Project Approved restaurants. Winners will be selected after the survey closes and notified by Friday, September 3.
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Back to School Vaccine Clinic
OPEN TO ALL: Students ages 12+, school staff and families
- First Dose Clinic: Thursday, Aug. 12, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Second Dose Clinic: Thursday, Sept. 2, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: South Bay Adult School, 3401 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Only students who are currently 12 years or older are eligible and parent/guardian must be present for student to be vaccinated.
The following types of identification are accepted for proof of age:
- California ID card or REAL ID card
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Any official document that includes name and date of birth, for example, school record
For more information, call Beach Cities Health District’s School Well-Being Line for School Families at 310-374-3426, and press option 2, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday – Thursday.
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Percent (%) of population 16+ vaccinated with at least 1 dose
As of July 30, 2021
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Reduce Your Risk of COVID-19
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Get vaccinated. Everyone 12+ is eligible. It is the best way to protect against COVID-19.
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Wear a mask that fits. Your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and others.
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Avoid crowded places. Being in crowds, especially indoors, puts you at a higher risk.
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Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer often - especially after being in public spaces where surfaces are touched by many people. Avoid eating and touching your face with unwashed hands.
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Stay home when sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, talk to a doctor and get a test, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should stay home and away from others until you get the result of your COVID-19 test or until your provider tells you that you don’t have COVID-19.
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We Love Our Volunteers!
BCHD hosted a luau at its AdventurePlex facility in Manhattan Beach on July 24 to honor and thank its volunteers and community partners who assisted with its COVID-19 response, including working at its testing and vaccination sites, running essential errands for those needing help during COVID-19, supporting student health during distance learning and more.
“This past year was unprecedented; we could not have expected COVID-19 to dramatically change our lives for so long,” said Beach Cities Health District CEO Tom Bakaly. “When our community needed support to get us through this time, our volunteers and community partners were there and stepped forward to serve others. We could not have done this without our community — thank you for being a part of our BCHD Ohana.”
Among the accomplishments to date of BCHD volunteers:
- More than 500 individuals volunteered their time on behalf of BCHD
- Between March 2020 and June 2021, BCHD volunteers contributed 24,134 hours of service
- 4,712 meals were delivered to Beach Cities residents
- 8,800 callbacks were made by volunteers to people who had tested positive at the COVID-19 testing site in Redondo Beach
- The COVID-19 testing site was in operation 401 days, administering 155,684 tests
- BCHD’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts included 44 clinics, with 15,590 doses administered
- South Bay Family Health also utilized BCHD volunteers at their vaccine site, which delivered 3,727 doses
The July 24 event featured games, a short program and Hawaiian-themed eats. You can learn more about BCHD’s COVID-19 response at www.bchd.org/ohanaluau.
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Join us for the next virtual
Mental Health & Happiness Series
Learn how to boost your well-being through evidence-based practices to build resilience, feel more connected and be happier. The series focuses on the building blocks to help create a healthier and happier you. Presented by Beach Cities Health District in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
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Topics include:
Cultivate Bravery: Embrace opportunities and manage change
Wednesday, August 11 from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Boost Empathy: Support connection and shift perspective
Tuesday, September 28 from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Reaffirm Purpose: Navigate transitions and focus on meaning
Tuesday, October 19 from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Maximize Gratitude: Express appreciation and savor kindness
Tuesday, November 9 from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.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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Virtual Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager, Charlotte Barnett
With many senior centers closed and many older adults unable to socialize, we want to provide a space for people to talk, ask questions and share their experience during COVID-19. Join us if you want to learn more about community resources or BCHD, or if you just want to connect! Open to all.
First & Third Tuesday of the month
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Joslyn Community Center, Sunset Room
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Beach Cities Summer Free Fitness Series
Zumba
Monday, August 16, 6:30 p.m.
Julia Field, Alta Vista Park
In partnership with the City of Redondo Beach
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South Bay Family Bike Ride
Hosted by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
This family-friendly ride will be a casual paced opportunity to enjoy a ride along the Strand with South Bay neighbors and discuss transportation and environmental policy. Begins at Miramar Park and ends at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Please check the weather in advance, dress appropriately and remember to bring a helmet! There will be volunteers from the South Bay Bicycle Coalition on hand to provide a safety training and helmet check for all riders.
Sunday, August 22
Start time 9:30 a.m.
Miramar Park
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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.
Monday, August 30
10 – 11 a.m.
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Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor. First Wednesday of every month.
Wednesday, September 1
4 – 4:30 p.m.
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BCHD Board Meeting
Livestream information, final agenda and ways to make public comments coming soon.
At the meeting, the board intends to consider certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Healthy Living Campus project. It is important to note that certifying the EIR is a determination that the report was completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), not the approval of a specific project plan or design.
*BCHD will continue to monitor the state of COVID-19 and in-person meetings.
Wednesday, September 8
6:30 p.m.
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Redondo Beach
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BeachLife Festival
BCHD is partnering with BeachLife Festival
to ensure proper health protocols are in place at the September festival. Please make sure to stop by the BCHD booth during the event!
September 10-12
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Testing Guidelines
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends diagnostic testing for persons who:
- Have signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- Individuals who have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should be tested regardless of vaccination status or recent history of previous infection.
- Are a close contact to a confirmed case, regardless of vaccination status
- Testing is not recommended for asymptomatic close contacts who have recovered from laboratory confirmed COVID-19 within the past 3 months (90 days).
- Are part of an outbreak investigation and response and/or case investigation
- Testing is recommended regardless of vaccination status. Investigations may include testing of asymptomatic persons with recent history of previous infection as directed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
For more information on COVID-19 testing and a list of nearby testing sites, please visit bchd.org/covidtesting.
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Volunteer for the COVID-19 Clinical Study for Patients at Increased Risk of Worsening Symptoms
This clinical study is evaluating whether an oral study drug reduces the duration and/or severity of illness among people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 who are at increased risk of worsening symptoms.
Currently, there are no approved oral treatments for COVID-19. If you have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, participation in this study can be an option to consider not only for yourself, but as an important contribution to the global effort to move beyond COVID-19.
This study may be an option for you if you are at least 18 years old and meet all the requirements below:
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 5 days and have not tested positive previously
- You have not received and do not plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while in the study
- You have recently developed symptom(s)
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Need Help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with health-related information and referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.
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Did you know?
On August 4, more than 70 volunteers tended to elementary school gardens in Redondo Beach for BCHD's LiveWell Kids Garden Prep Day.
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Healthy Living Campus Environmental Impact Report
Draft Environmental Impact Report Comment Period Closes & Next Steps
The public comment period has concluded for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Beach Cities Health District’s proposed Healthy Living Campus project. Up next: Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. is sorting the comments received and preparing responses. All public comments on the content of the Draft EIR that were received by the June 10 deadline will be included and responded to in the Final EIR. Responses to comments will be released before final certification.
The Final EIR will be available to the public and the BCHD Board will consider whether to certify it on September 8, 2021 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. It is important to note that certifying the EIR is a determination that the report was completed in compliance with the CEQA, not the approval of a specific project plan or design.
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