Update #80
COVID-19 Emergency
July 1, 2020 - 2 pm
JULY 4 FIREWORKS POSTPONED

Governor Implements New Restrictions That Impact Bars, Restaurants, Movie Theater, and Bowling Alley in Big Bear Lake

County Reduces Big Bear Valley Case Total

2 Positive Tests Out of 211 Tested at June 19 Testing Event

City Continues to Closely Monitor County Hospitalization Data

Face Coverings, Physical Distancing, and Good Hygiene Will Keep Us SAFE and Keep Us OPEN!

Please Get Tested!
FREE COVID-19 Testing Readily Available in San Bernardino County
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL COVID-19 GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE
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 in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to the COVID-19 event.

This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the guidance 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 City Manager Frank Rush at 909-866-5832 or via email.
 
The City issues these COVID-19 updates periodically as significant or new information emerges. 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!
JULY 4 FIREWORKS POSTPONED
The City has postponed the July 4 fireworks, in response to the recent escalation of the COVID-19 threat in Southern California. The fireworks show will be rescheduled for later this summer or fall if / when the COVID-19 threat has subsided and it is again possible to present this great annual Big Bear tradition in a safe manner. The City is disappointed that it will not be possible to have the fireworks show on July 4, but believes it is in the best interest of our residents, businesses, and visitors to postpone the show.

The City Council authorized the July 4 fireworks show at a special meeting on June 16, at which time the COVID-19 threat was consistently decreasing and there was abundant hospital capacity in Southern California. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed quickly and significantly over the past 15 days, and current circumstances are not conducive to a safe, enjoyable show in Big Bear Lake. Additionally, Governor Newsom has encouraged all July 4 fireworks shows in certain counties, including San Bernardino County, to cancel or postpone - and the City concurs with this directive.

The City is currently working with Visit Big Bear and others to offer a virtual July 4 fireworks show that will air on Channel 182 and the City's website on Saturday night. Additional details will be provided in a future City COVID-19 update, and we encourage everyone to take time this Saturday to honor the founding of the United States of America. Despite our challenges, we are all incredibly blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth!

The new fireworks date will not be set for several weeks, and the City will continue to monitor the COVID-19 threat in order to determine if / when the show can occur. The new date will be announced in a future City COVID-19 update.
GOVERNOR IMPLEMENTS NEW RESTRICTIONS THAT IMPACT BARS, RESTAURANTS, MOVIE THEATER, AND BOWLING ALLEY IN BIG BEAR LAKE
In an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19, Governor Newsom has implemented several new restrictions in 19 counties, including San Bernardino County, effective immediately. These new restrictions are expected to remain in place for 3 weeks, and affect the following businesses in Big Bear Lake:

  • All bars are ordered to remain closed, and may not operate indoors or outdoors.

  • Restaurants are limited to take-out, delivery, and outdoor seating only.

  • The movie theater (Village Theaters) must remain closed.

  • The bowling alley (The Bowling Barn) must remain closed.

All other businesses in Big Bear Lake may continue to operate in accordance with guidelines included in the Governor's Resilience Roadmap .

Various State agencies will be enforcing these new restrictions, and all Big Bear Lake businesses are strongly encouraged to comply with these new restrictions.
COUNTY REDUCES BIG BEAR VALLEY CASE TOTAL
San Bernardino County has adjusted the total number of confirmed cases in the Big Bear Valley, and has reduced the total number of cumulative cases in the City by 1 case.

The total cumulative case count now includes 8 reported cases in the City of Big Bear Lake and 6 in unincorporated areas (14 total cases). It is important to note that these are cumulative totals since reporting began in early March, and that most of these individuals have fully recovered by now and have resumed normal activities. There have been 5 new cases reported since the beginning of May, and these cases are believed to be the only currently active cases in the Big Bear Valley. Thankfully, there have been no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

The County now reports a cumulative total of 12,746 confirmed cases in all of San Bernardino County. A total of 146,306 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with 8.7% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, a total of 258 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County.

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.
2 POSITIVE TESTS OUT OF 211 TESTED AT JUNE 19 TESTING EVENT
On Tuesday, San Bernardino County public health officials released the results of the COVID-19 testing event at Big Bear Lake City Hall held on June 19. A total of 211 individuals were swab tested at the June 19 event for active cases of COVID-19, and only 2 individuals tested positive. These 2 new cases are included in the County's current reporting described above.

A total of 197 individuals participated in serology testing, and complete aggregate results are not yet available. Similar testing throughout the County has indicated that less than 1% of those tested to date have presented with antibodies, so we expect the results of this testing to yield only a small number of potentially previously exposed individuals in Big Bear Lake.

The City continues to work with San Bernardino County public health officials to schedule additional free testing events in Big Bear Lake in the future.
CITY CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR COUNTY HOSPITALIZATION DATA
Because any COVID-19 patients from the Big Bear Valley would likely be treated by other, larger hospitals in San Bernardino County, City officials continue to closely monitor hospitalization and ventilator data in the entire County. Thankfully, there has been sufficient capacity in San Bernardino County hospitals throughout the COVID-19 event. However, hospitalizations have increased in the County in recent weeks and are now at the highest levels since the COVID-19 event began.

According to the latest County data, there are currently 488 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County. Although hospitalizations have increased in the County in recent weeks, it is important to understand the context of this increase. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in our County previously peaked at 451 patients on April 10, and then dropped to 196 patients by May 15. On June 16, there were a total of 293 patients hospitalized in our County. It is important to note that there are approximately 6,000 hospital beds in San Bernardino County, and the County has specifically identified 1,106 "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.

According to the latest County data, there are a total of 148 COVID-19 patients in intensive care. This is the highest reported number of ICU patients with suspected or confirmed cases during the COVID-19 event, eclipsing the April 10 total of 124 patients. It is important to note, however, that there are still a total of 140 intensive care beds available in San Bernardino County. To put this in perspective, there were a total of 61 intensive care beds available on April 16, a total of 168 intensive care beds available on May 16, and 156 intensive care beds available on June 16.

According to the latest San Bernardino County data, COVID-19 patients are currently utilizing 103 ventilators out of the 804 ventilators in our County. There are a total of 193 ventilators currently being utilized by patients with other ailments, and a total of 508 ventilators remain available. Since April 11, there have never been less than 500 ventilators available in San Bernardino County.

The overall number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County has increased by approximately 50% since June 16, and City officials are concerned about this increase. The City considers this data to be among the most important data when making decisions for our community, and will continue to monitor and adjust our COVID-19 strategy if / as needed.
FACE COVERINGS, PHYSICAL DISTANCING, GOOD HYGIENE WILL KEEP US SAFE AND KEEP US OPEN!
PLEASE wear face coverings when interacting with others in Big Bear Lake! It's now required by the State, and the City supports this requirement.

It's not too much to ask EVERYONE to wear a face covering, and it may make the difference in keeping our community SAFE and OPEN! The combination of physical distancing, face coverings, and good hygiene are our best tools to keep our community safe and avoid a return to the more restrictive measures implemented in March, April, and May.

You don't need to wear a face covering at home, while driving, or while exercising by yourself or with your family, but PLEASE wear one when you're working in a local business, patronizing a local business, at church, at other indoor gatherings, and any time it's not possible to maintain at least 6 feet of separation from others - indoors and outdoors. It's the least you can do for our community!
PLEASE GET TESTED!
FREE COVID-19 TESTING READILY AVAILABLE IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
San Bernardino County continues to offer numerous, FREE COVID-19 testing sites all throughout our County. These sites are available to any Big Bear resident who is interested in being tested, and there are no screening requirements - anyone can get tested!

To view all of the testing sites in San Bernardino County, please click here. The City is pleased to have worked with the County to offer free testing in Big Bear Lake on April 17 and June 19, and will work to schedule additional testing in the coming weeks.
PERSONAL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL!
The City reminds everyone that personal fireworks are ILLEGAL in the Big Bear Valley!

City staff, Sheriff's deputies, and Fire Department staff will be closely monitoring for any illegal fireworks activity, and citations with fines up to $1,000 will be issued for any fireworks violations . Please don't put our community at risk of a significant forest fire, and simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular professional show over the lake on July 4!

If you see someone using personal fireworks, please call (909) 866-7566 or text (909) 731-4887 immediately. For additional information, please contact Big Bear Fire Department by clicking here or call (909) 866-7566.
BIG BEAR LAKE BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR COVID-COMPLIANT GRANT FUNDING - STILL MORE THAN $20 MILLION AVAILABLE
San Bernardino County's new COVID-Compliant Business Partnership Program still has more than $20 million available to award to businesses to assist with the cost of implementing COVID-19 safety measures. Each business is eligible for up to $2,500, and these funds may be used for the purchase of supplies and equipment necessary to keep your customers, employees, and our community safe!

All Big Bear Lake businesses are encouraged to apply! To learn more, and to apply for your $2,500 grant, please click here.
VISITORS ENCOURAGED TO AVOID SR 330, SHOULD INSTEAD USE SR 18 OR SR 38 TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM BIG BEAR
Construction work continues on SR 330 leading from Highland to Running Springs, with one lane closed just south of the City Creek Fire Station. Considerable delays may occur as a result, and the City of Big Bear Lake advises all travelers to use either SR 18 from San Bernardino to Crestline, and then on to Running Springs and Big Bear Lake, OR to use SR 38 from Redlands up through Angelus Oaks and Big Bear City to Big Bear Lake.

The SR 18 route is only 6 miles longer, but will take less time during heavy traffic conditions. The SR 38 route is 18 miles longer, but will still take less time during heavy traffic conditions, and is a beautiful drive with fewer twists and turns along the way!
RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND VISITORS
The City has compiled specific recommendations and resources for our residents, businesses, and visitors, and encourages everyone to diligently implement these recommendations and take advantage of these resources:







Stay Informed!
Sign up for City of BBL Updates,
Visit Our Other Digital Platforms
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:
 
  • Visit our website by clicking here

  • "Like" us on Facebook - City of Big Bear Lake
 
  • Follow us on Twitter - @CityofBBL
 
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  • Sign up for text message alerts by clicking here .
 
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!
Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager
City of Big Bear Lake
39707 Big Bear Blvd. PO Box 10000, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone: (909) 866-5831 | Fax: (909) 866-5491