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Covid-19 Health 

Long Beach Covid-19 Update: 3.23

LBLN

By the Numbers (Long Beach only):

  • 19 positive results
    • 4 people have recovered
    • 1 death. See press release for more details.
  • Approximately 140 individuals have been or are currently being monitored

Today’s Highlights:

  • Mayor Garcia and Dr. Anissa Davis will participate in a live stream press conference today at 3:00 p.m. Media can email questions by 2pm to jic@longbeach.gov. No media will be allowed in person in order to observe social distancing precautions.
  • Yesterday afternoon the City issued a press release confirming the closure of sports facilities in City parks and beaches. This clarification was in response to large gatherings that occurred in parks and beaches over the weekend.
  • On March 20, the State issued Guidance for Prioritization of Patients for Laboratory Testing for COVID-19. Long Beach Health Department provided this information to local healthcare providers on March 22nd. Testing will continue to be based on medical need and will help ensure that people who most need testing can get results rapidly, while reducing strain on the health care system. The most significant change in these recommendations is that those with only mild respiratory symptoms who do not otherwise need medical care and who are not in one of the known high-risk groups should not be routinely tested for COVID-19. These people should care for themselves at home as they normally would for a mild illness, and take special care to stay home and away from others while they are contagious.
  • Port of Long Beach terminals are open and operating. There were 4 container vessels, 2 bulk vessels and 4 oil tankers for a total of 10 ships docked at the Port. Harbor Department administrative buildings are closed to the public, but normal functions continue and staff are facilitating cargo operations.
  • The City urges people to remain calm. Please follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for guidance for our residents.
  • The Joint Information Center remains open during normal business hours, 7 days a week: 562.570.NEWS (6397), jic@longbeach.gov.

This Week’s Highlights:

  • In an effort to mitigate parking impacts to residents caused by COVID-19 in the most parking-impacted areas of Long Beach, the City of Long Beach will be providing free alternative off-street parking options and increasing on-street parking meter courtesy times.
  • In response to media inquiries, on Saturday the City issued an update on how it will enforce the March 19 “Safer 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.
  • The closure of Long Beach Unified School District schools has been extended through at least May 3. Beginning Monday, March 23, the Long Beach Unified School District will be sending home learning opportunity information to general education and special education students and their families.
  • 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.
  • 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 postpone or cancel all gatherings. Details regarding the order are available here.
  • City residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications to their mobile phone and/or email address.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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:
    • Normal hours: 562.570.4302
    • After hours emergency only: 562.500.5537