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Corona-Virus Covid-19 Health 

Long Beach Covid-19 Update : 3.21

LBLN

By the Numbers (Long Beach only):

  • 15 positive results
    • 4 people have recovered
  • Approximately 140 people have been or are currently being monitored 

Today’s Highlights:

  • In response to media inquiries, on Saturday the City issued an update on how it will enforce the March 19 “Stay at Home” order. Businesses that violate or fail to comply with the Long Beach Health Officer’s order may be subject to civil enforcement, which includes but is not limited to, administrative penalties and revocation of a business and/or health permit. 
  • The WorkPlace job center (4811 Airport Plaza Dr., Suite 120) will remain open to assist Long Beach families, workers and small businesses affected.
  • Los Angeles County health officials have advised doctors to restrict COVID-19 testing. A letter sent Friday asks doctors to test patients only if a positive result would change the course of treatment. 
  • The City has clarified the “Safer at Home” order. The clarification identifies personal grooming services that are considered non-essential and issues guidance on other businesses as well as alcoholic beverages restrictions.
  • The Long Beach Unified School District extended school closures through at least May 3. Additional details and updated meal schedules and locations available here.
  • Long Beach Transit is modifying its service schedule in response to the outbreak. Buses will operate 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. The schedule will run until further notice.
  • Port of Long Beach terminals are open and operating. Harbor Department administrative buildings are closed to the public, but normal functions continue and staff are facilitating cargo operations.
  • The Incident Management Team remains fully operational. 

This Week’s Highlights:

  • On March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order for all Californians to stay home, marking the first mandatory restrictions for the state.
  • Just prior to Newsom’s announcement, the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department announced the City’s own “Safer at Home” order, asking nonessential businesses to close, residents to stay home, and limit gatherings taking place in a confined or enclosed spaces to 2 to 9 people. Details regarding the order are available here.
  • Mayor Robert Garcia on March 20 conducted an online Q&A with the Long Beach Post, discussing the latest information about COVID-19. See the archived video here.
  • The City urges people to remain calm. Please follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for guidance for our residents.
  • City residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications to their mobile phone and/or email address.
  • The Joint Information Center remains open during normal business hours and will remain open throughout the weekend: 562.570.NEWS (6397), jic@longbeach.gov.
  • Outdoor book drops are closed at all Long Beach Public Library locations through April 30. No overdue fines will accrue during this period. Library patrons can access LBPL’s vast collection of digital resources available 24/7.
  • The Multi-Service Center is now open all day, without closing for an hour at lunch, to better serve unsheltered residents of Long Beach. All City facilities and services for people experiencing homelessness, including the Winter Shelter, the Multi-Service Center and Safe Parking Program, remain open.
  • On March 18, the City announced a Disaster Relief Fund for COVID-19 response.
  • On March 17, the Long Beach City Council voted to establish an Economic Relief Package for the City. 
  • Effective through March 31, 2020, or until further notice, city businesses are required to modify their operations, in accordance with a mandate issued by the Health and Human Services Department:
    • All bars, nightclubs, breweries and wineries, as well as gyms and other fitness facilities and large entertainment venues are to close.
    • Restaurants and other food-serving establishments are limited to delivery and takeout only.
  • The City of Long Beach facilities and operations are operating under temporarily modified conditions. Details about City modified operations are available here. 
  • Long Beach Police Department has increased patrol resources and will continue to monitor key resource locations to ensure public safety. LBPD also provided health and safety recommendations to area grocery stores.
  • This respiratory disease outbreak has no impact on the quality or supply of Long Beach’s tap water and should not disrupt water or sewer service to Long Beach Water’s customers. Details here. 
  • Utilities including Southern California Edison, Energy Resources and the Long Beach Water Dept. are temporarily suspending shutoffs.
  • The Long Beach Water Department is asking the public to refrain from flushing paper towels and wipes, including disinfectant wipes and wipes labeled “flushable.” These do not break down the way toilet paper does and can quickly cause sewer clogs, backups and spills. 
  • The City of Long Beach established an information hotline for businesses, workers and employers in Long Beach during normal business hours at 562.570.4BIZ (4249).

What you need to know NOW:

  • The City urges people to adhere to the new “Safer at Home” ordinance for their ongoing health and safety and those of others.
  • Practice social distancing. Avoid crowds, stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Continue preventive measures, i.e. frequent hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, staying home when sick, don’t touch your face and cover coughs and sneezes.
  • The City encourages everyone to create a family action plan. Designate a room to separate sick household members from others; ensure access to medication, food and other essentials; and create an emergency contact list. Check on the needs of elderly family members and neighbors. Additional preparedness information can be found at www.ready.gov.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services, Health Department Operations Center is activated at a Level I, and is conducting contact investigations and following up with those who could be exposed by presumptive positive cases.
  • The City of Long Beach continues to monitor the situation 24/7 in coordination with local, state and federal officials.

COVID Testing Glossary:

  • Positive – Number of people who have received a positive test result. As of 3/16/20, the CDC announced that they will no longer require confirmatory testing on positive tests conducted by outside labs. 
  • Recovered – Recovered means the patient is cleared. They have recovered and are no longer considered contagious, so they don’t have any movement restrictions.
  • Monitored – The DHHS is closely monitoring individuals who may have been exposed. 

A Note About Quarantine and Isolation: 

Quarantine is used by public health professionals to separate potentially exposed individuals from the public in the case that they become symptomatic and thus contagious to others. Being in quarantine is not an indication that a person has or is likely to have COVID-19. Quarantined people are asked to limit their contact with others for 14 days, and may be excluded from work or school. Quarantined people should notify their provider immediately if they begin experiencing symptoms. Should they begin exhibiting symptoms, they may be required to isolate.

Isolation means separating a person that is sick in order to prevent them spreading the virus to others. People may be asked to self-isolate at home while they are being tested, while they recover, or they may be isolated in a healthcare setting if they need medical support to recover.

Who To Call & Additional Resources:

  • Up-To-Date Local Information on COVID-19: www.longbeach.gov/COVID19 and @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Highlights can be found using the hashtag #COVID19LongBeach.
  • Hotline Numbers: 
  • Media Inquiries: 562.570.NEWS (6397) or jic@longbeach.gov 
  • Business Information Line (normal business hours): 562.570.4BIZ (4249)
  • Public Information Line (normal business hours): 562.570.INFO (4636)
  • Health Providers: