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!

A total of 4 new cases have been reported for Big Bear Valley since the City's last update on July 21.

San Bernardino County is now reporting a total of 38 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Big Bear Valley since June 1, and this figure represents the estimated maximum number of "active" cases at this time. It is believed, however, that some of these individuals have recovered by now, thus the actual number of "active" cases may be somewhat lower.

There were a total of 9 confirmed cases reported in the Big Bear Valley between mid-March and June 1, thus the cumulative total in the Big Bear Valley is now 47 confirmed cases. Since reporting began in mid-March, there have been 26 confirmed cases in the City of Big Bear Lake, 16 in Big Bear City, 5 in Sugarloaf, and 0 in Fawnskin. Thankfully, there have been no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

Over the last two weeks, there have been 27 new cases reported in the Big Bear Valley, which equates to a two-week new case rate of 123 per 100,000 population. This is one of the key metrics used by the State to gauge the current COVID-19 threat in California counties. If the Big Bear Valley was its own county, we would have a lower rate than 40 of the 58 counties in California, and lower than the incidence in all Southern California counties.

The City continues to closely monitor COVID-19 in the City limits, the entire Big Bear Valley, and in San Bernardino County, and will adjust our strategies as necessary and appropriate to keep our community SAFE and keep our community OPEN. City officials are increasingly concerned about the increase in new cases in recent weeks, however, we do not believe it is necessary or prudent at this time to seek the closure of certain segments of our community. The City is currently implementing all applicable restrictions imposed by the State, and, as noted above, we remain fortunate to experience a relatively low incidence of COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

In order to keep our community SAFE and OPEN, it is imperative that all residents, businesses, and visitors WEAR FACE COVERINGS, MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE, and PRACTICE GOOD HAND HYGIENE! We all need to do our part to reverse the recent trends, and reduce the number of "active" cases in the Big Bear Valley!

The County now reports a cumulative total of 26,185 confirmed cases in all of San Bernardino County. A total of 222,911 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with 11.7% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, a total of 358 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County, with 25 deaths reported over the past two days. This data is the most sobering reminder of the threat we all face, and the need for all of us to do our part to keep our community safe.

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.

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.

According to the latest County data, there are currently 676 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County. This number has increased from 217 patients on June 1, and 516 patients on July 1. Over the past week, the number of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County has been relatively constant, and has been in the 656 - 699 range each day.

According to the latest County data, there are now a total of 195 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, and this number has also been relatively constant over the past week - ranging from 181 - 200 ICU patients each day. It is important to note that there now a total 178 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County. This number has also been relatively constant over the past week, ranging from 143 - 178 ICU beds available each day.

Ventilators remain readily available in San Bernardino County, with a total of 461 currently available. San Bernardino County reports that many hospitals are now utilizing alternative devices, including CPAP and BiPAP devices, to treat COVID-19 patients, and that these devices have been effective in avoiding ventilator use.

As the number of local cases continues to rise, it's now more important than ever for ALL Big Bear businesses to double-down on your commitment to keeping your employees, your customers, and our community safe! If we can't do that, we may be forced to close some or all businesses, and no one wants that to happen again!

PLEASE do your part, and be vigilant in your efforts:

The City is happy to assist any of our businesses with compliance efforts, and City staff are making periodic visits to all Big Bear Lake businesses to educate business owners, offer assistance, and provide free masks.

The City's goal is to work cooperatively with our businesses to keep everyone safe, and also help your business avoid a potential punitive action by State officials. For assistance, please contact City Hall at 909-866-5831 or email us. The City is committed to helping our businesses operate safely and maintain profitability!

In an effort to promote greater physical distancing and also to provide more options for outdoor dining and retail, the City will close Pine Knot Avenue to vehicular traffic this coming weekend, July 25 - 26. Pine Knot Avenue will be closed between Village Drive and Stone Road from 7 am on Saturday through 10 pm on Sunday, and the entire street will become a pedestrian plaza for this entire time period.

Restaurants on Pine Knot Avenue will be permitted to set up tables for outdoor dining on the public sidewalk directly in front of the restaurant, and also in the parallel parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant. Restaurants may set up tables for wait service, or may simply set up tables for take-out customers to utilize after picking up their food at the restaurant. No permit is required, however, all restaurants must maintain 6 ft. of separation between tables, maintain a safe and clean environment, maintain adequate aisle widths, and must comply with applicable California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requirements. The State has established a special COVID-19 permit for the serving of alcohol in outdoor spaces, and a copy of the permit application is available here . If a restaurant secures this special COVID-19 permit from the State, restaurant customers on public sidewalks and public parking spaces may be served alcoholic beverages. If not, restaurant customers on public sidewalks and public parking spaces are limited to non-alcoholic beverages only, and restaurants should seat their customers accordingly.

Retail establishments on Pine Knot Avenue will also be permitted to display merchandise on the public sidewalks and parallel public parking spaces directly in front of their establishment, and must simply maintain a safe and clean environment, and maintain adequate aisle widths. No permit is required.

A summary of the Pine Knot Avenue closure and guidelines for outdoor dining and retail displays is located here , and a map of the closure area is located here. Restaurants and retail establishments may email any questions about setting up on the public sidewalks and public parking spaces, or call City Hall at 909-866-5832 for assistance.

The planned closure is a TRIAL for this coming weekend, and any future closures will be determined by the City Council at a later date.

The City is implementing a nearly identical program for outdoor dining and retail displays on Village Drive this weekend, however, Village Drive will remain open for vehicle travel all weekend. In this area, all on-street parking spaces along Village Drive will be closed and made available for outdoor dining and retail displays this weekend, along with an area in the Indian Village parking lot. Public sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians on Village Drive, and may not be utilized for outdoor dining or retail displays.

No permit is required, and a summary of the requirements for restaurants and retail establishments to set up in the Village Drive public parking spaces is located here . A map of the closure area is located here . Restaurants and retail establishments may email any questions about setting up in the public parking spaces on Village Drive or in the Indian Village parking lot, or call City Hall at 909-866-5832 for assistance.

Due to the trial closure of Pine Knot Avenue and the public parking spaces on Village Drive this weekend, there will be no on-street parking available along The Village "L". Residents and visitors are encouraged to park in any of City's more than 700 free public parking spaces in public parking lots around The Village.

There are a total of:

City signs will be deployed this weekend directing the public to these free public parking lots. It's actually quicker to just park in one of these lots and walk to Pine Knot Avenue and Village Drive than it is to circle around looking for an on-street parking spot!

After recent testing delays, multiple efforts are underway to increase COVID-19 testing in San Bernardino County and the Big Bear Valley.

San Bernardino County expects to implement new testing capabilities next week, with a goal to have 6,000 - 7,000 people tested daily in our County. In recent weeks, the County has averaged approximately 3,000 tests per day, which was considered to be sufficient prior to the recent escalation in COVID-19 cases. The additional County testing capacity is expected to make it easier and quicker to be tested, with quicker results. To make an appointment at a free County test site, please click here .

The City of Big Bear Lake partnered with San Bernardino County to offer free COVID-19 testing events in the Big Bear Valley in April and June, and is currently working to arrange additional free testing events in the Big Bear Valley. Additionally, the City continues to explore other testing strategies aimed at ensuring that our residents can secure a test as soon as needed, with results available as quickly as possible. The sooner we can identify positive cases, the sooner we can isolate those individuals and prevent the spread to others.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay away from others until you can get tested - either at a free County site or by contacting your private medical provider, who may have the ability to secure a test sooner.

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!