The City of Big Bear Lake is working hard to ensure that the residents, second home owners, investors, businesses, and visitors in our community have the correct information about the status of COVID-19 threats in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to these threats.

This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the restrictions and recommendations outlined herein. This email newsletter also serves as the City's official press release regarding the City's COVID-19 response, and press inquiries may be directed to Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager, at 909-866-5832 or via email.

 

To be sure you are receiving the latest and most accurate information, please sign up for this email newsletter by clicking here . PLEASE share this email newsletter with anyone and everyone, as we want to reach as many people as possible with this information. Thank you!

Unless there are significant developments that warrant immediate notification of the Big Bear Lake community,   the City will not issue COVID-19 updates on Sunday or Monday. The next City COVID-19 update will be issued on Tuesday, May 26.

Have a safe, enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! Please take time to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms on Monday.

Thankfully, San Bernardino County was informed late Saturday afternoon that our county has been approved for a variance from Statewide restrictions. The City did not expect this variance for at least another week, and applauds San Bernardino County for their quick and effective action.

As a result, ALL businesses included in "Stage 2" may now operate in accordance with the Governor's Resilience Roadmap. In Big Bear Lake, this means that all restaurants may now offer dine-in service, and all retail establishments may permit indoor shopping, provided they follow the guidance for dine-in restaurants and the guidance for shopping centers established by the California Department of Public Health.

With the granting of a variance to San Bernardino County late Saturday afternoon, most businesses in Big Bear Lake are now officially permitted to operate, in compliance with the Governor's Resilience Roadmap .

The following businesses are not permitted to operate at this time under the Governor's Resilience Roadmap: traditional lodging facilities, the movie theater, the bowling alley, the convention center, bars, music venues, church services, barber shops, beauty salons, tattoo parlors, and nail salons - until such time that the Governor authorizes a progression to Stages 3 and 4 of the Governor's Resilience Roadmap. The City is hopeful that the Governor will authorize counties that have secured a variance to move to Stages 3 and 4 in the near future.

The City encourages all businesses to implement appropriate measures to promote the health and safety of employees, patrons, and our residents. The City continues to encourage all businesses not currently authorized under the Governor's Resilience Roadmap to take responsibility for their own actions, thoughtfully consider the Governor’s orders and the risks associated with their specific circumstances (including health, legal, financial, and licensing), and act accordingly.  Risks of reopening certain businesses contrary to the Governor’s orders might include loss of State licenses applicable to certain businesses, among others. As communicated previously, the City no longer intends to take enforcement action with regard to the Governor's orders.  

As City businesses begin to reopen, the City continues to recommend the following health and safety measures for our businesses, residents, and visitors:

The City asks all of our BUSINESSES to be safe, and to invest the necessary time and effort into keeping your patrons, employees, and our community safe. It's up to all of our BUSINESSES to do this right - for your sake, and for our community's sake.

The City asks EVERYONE to act responsibly, take personal responsibility for your own actions, thoughtfully consider how your actions impact others, thoughtfully consider the feelings and concerns of others who may have a different perspective on COVID-19 than you do, and simply CARE about each other.

Thank you for EVERYONE's efforts to keep our community safe!

According to San Bernardino County, there are still a total of 9 confirmed cases in the Big Bear Valley, including 6 in the City of Big Bear Lake and 3 in unincorporated areas outside the City limits.

There have only been 3 confirmed cases in the Big Bear Valley in the past month, and no new cases in the past 2 weeks. It is also important to note that many of the 9 confirmed cases have fully recovered, and have resumed normal activities.

The County reports a total of 4,315 confirmed cases in San Bernardino County. A total of 49,649 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with 8.7% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, a total of 176 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County. Thankfullly, there are still 0 deaths reported for the Big Bear Valley.

This data is updated daily at the County's COVID-19 dashboard, and the City encourages everyone to view this site for the most accurate information.

Thankfully, the health care systems in both the Big Bear Valley and San Bernardino County have maintained sufficient hospital and ventilator availability for the duration of the COVID-19 event.

There are approximately 6,000 hospital beds in San Bernardino County, and it is also important to note that the County has specifically identified 1,136 "surge capacity" beds (the number of additional beds a hospital could provide if all available space was needed) in response to the COVID-19 event. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in San Bernardino County peaked on April 10, approximately 6 weeks ago, with 451 patients hospitalized. According to the latest County data, there are currently 216 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County, and the number of COVID-19 patients continues to steadily decline.

According to the latest San Bernardino County data, there are a total of 65 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, and the number of ICU patients also continues to steadily decline. There are currently 213 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County. The number of ICU patients also peaked on April 10, approximately 6 weeks ago, with 124 patients in ICU.

According to the latest San Bernardino County data, COVID-19 patients are currently utilizing 43 ventilators out of the 843 ventilators in our County. There are a total of 211 ventilators currently being utilized by patients with other ailments, and a total of 589 ventilators remain available. Since April 1, there have never been less than 388 ventilators available in San Bernardino County.

Thankfully, Bear Valley Community Hospital and Big Bear Fire / EMS officials continue to experience manageable patient loads and call volumes. Bear Valley Community Hospital is equipped with more than 30 hospital beds and 7 ventilators, but it is important to note that any COVID-19 patients would likely be transferred to larger hospitals in San Bernardino County (perhaps Loma Linda, Arrowhead, or others) where more specialized care is available. Thus, it is critically important for the City to monitor overall trends in San Bernardino County.

The City encourages all residents, businesses, and visitors to be safe when out and about in Big Bear, and to exercise the now all-too-familiar precautions at all times. Please do your part to keep yourself, your family, your neighbors, our businesses and their employees, and our visitors safe!

Big Bear businesses are encouraged to download the attached flyer and post in multiple visible locations to provide a constant reminder. Please print the graphic, and post it on your front door!

Thank you to EVERYONE for your efforts to keep our community safe as we move forward!

Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Municipal Water District (MWD) Board of Directors (a separate governing body tasked with managing lake operations and activities) has approved slightly relaxed restrictions for lake activities.

The following new restrictions are in effect for lake activities:

Thank you for your cooperation with these restrictions. Enjoy the lake this weekend, and be safe!

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department is now offering limited serology (antibody) testing for qualifying County residents at San Bernardino County Health Centers. The County operates Health Centers in Hesperia, Ontario, San Bernardino, and Adelanto. Big Bear residents are welcome to visit any of these centers. An appointment is necessary, and may be scheduled by calling (800) 722-4477.

The City continues to work with County public health officials to arrange for more convenient serology testing in the Big Bear Valley, and additional details will be announced as they become available.

Although this year's ceremony will be limited due to COVID-19, the City Council is pleased to participate in the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park. This year's event features a static display to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

The static display will be in place from 8 am - 12 noon, with assistance from local Big Bear scouts. All 5 members of the City Council (Mayor Rick Herrick, Mayor Pro-Tem Randy Putz, David Caretto, Bill Jahn, and Bob Jackowski) will participate in a wreath laying, along with State Assemblyman Jay Obernolte. The public is invited to pay your respects at any time on Monday, but please maintain at least 6 ft. separation from other groups and wear face coverings.

The City of Big Bear Lake strives to keep our residents, property owners, investors, businesses, and visitors well-informed about the City's issues and initiatives - including the COVID-19 event - with an emphasis on information specific to Big Bear Lake and the entire Big Bear Valley.

 

The easiest way to stay-informed is to sign up for the City's email newsletter and other updates. It's easy to sign up - simply visit the City's website and click on "Text & Email Notifications" in the top center of the homepage. Simply click on the link, enter your name and email address, and you're all set. Signing up will ensure that you receive periodic updates about COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, the City's new monthly newsletter - Elevation 6752', and other special communications from the City of Big Bear Lake for emergency situations, special events, and more.

 

In addition to the City's email updates, you can also get the latest information from the City of Big Bear Lake via the following digital platforms:

 

 

 

 

 

Please help us spread the word, and share the City's digital communications platforms with your family, friends, other residents, property owners, frequent visitors, or anyone else who is interested in Big Bear Lake. Thank you!