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Covid-19 

Long Beach COVID-19 Update: 3.26

LBLN

By the Numbers (Long Beach only):

  • 54 positive results
    • New total includes 4 Long Beach firefighters who are City residents, but does not include 6 other Long Beach firefighters who are not residents.
    • Total includes one CSULB student (the other student does not live in Long Beach)
    • First death within the City reported Monday, March 23
  • 8 people have recovered

Today’s Highlights:

  • Long Beach Fire Station 11 personnel are still being deployed from Station 12. All Station 11apparatus are in full service and are responding to calls for service.
  • The Long Beach Police Department implemented temporary, modified response protocols for certain calls for service. A news release with more information will be issued today by the police department.
  • Port of Long Beach terminals are open and operating. There were 5 container vessels, 5 bulk vessels and 3 oil tankers for a total of 13 ships docked at the Port. Harbor Department administrative buildings are closed to the public, but normal functions continue and staff are facilitating cargo operations.
  • A news release was issued regarding the City’s temporary moratorium on tenant evictions.
  • Long Beach Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the Long Beach Coronavirus Relief Fund. Click here for more information.
  • The City urges people to remain calm. Please follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit www.longbeach.gov/COVID19 for guidance. Sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications.
  • 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:

  • Yesterday the City announced that eight Long Beach Fire Department firefighters tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Yesterday Long Beach officials hosted a virtual press conference regarding the eight firefighters who tested positive.
  • The Winter Shelter will stay open until September 30. Some of the beds from the Winter Shelter site will be relocated to the former North Neighborhood Library to ensure COVID-19-related distancing at the shelter while also continuing the availability of 125 beds for people experiencing homelessness.
  • On March 24, the City amended the Safer at Home order to prohibit gatherings of any size to align with the Executive Order issued by Governor Newsom. Additionally, the updated order closed access to Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, the El Dorado Nature Center and parking lots at City-owned parks and beaches.
  • On March 23, Long Beach announced its first COVID-19 fatality. The woman was in her 50s and had underlying health conditions.
  • On March 22, Long Beach Health Departmentissued guidance to local healthcare providers based on the state’s “Guidance for Prioritization of Patients for Laboratory Testing for COVID-19,” issued March 20. 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 City rolled out parking relief measures for the most parking-impacted areas. 
  • On March 20, the City issued an update on enforcement of the “Safer at Home” order.
  • On March 18, the City announced a Disaster Relief Fund for COVID-19 response. Grant applications can be completed online. 

What you need to know NOW:

  • 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. 
  • Long Beach Police Department has increased patrol resources and will continue to monitor key resource locations to ensure public safety. 
  • 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 urges people to adhere to the new “Safer at Home” ordinance for their ongoing health and safety and those of others.
  • The WorkPlace job center (4811 Airport Plaza Dr., Suite 120) remains open to assist Long Beach families, workers and small businesses affected.
  • For a list of City closures and modified operations, click here. A list of additional closures are 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 closure of LBUSD schools has been extended through at least May 3. The district is sending home learning opportunity information to general education and special education students and their families.
  • 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. 
  • Recovered – Recovered means the patient is cleared. They have recovered and are no longer considered contagious, so they don’t have any movement restrictions.

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 who 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/COVID19and @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Highlights can be found using the hashtag #COVID19LongBeach. 
  • Media Inquiries: 562.570.NEWS (6397) orjic@longbeach.gov 
  • Business Information Line (normal business hours): 562.570.4BIZ (4249)
  • Public Information Line (normal business hours): 562.570.INFO (4636)
  • Health Providers: