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Public Health Recommends Testing for Individuals Possibly Exposed to COVID-19 and Closely Monitors Data After Labor Day Weekend

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Public Health Recommends Testing for Individuals Possibly Exposed to COVID-19 and Closely Monitors Data After Labor Day Weekend

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) Sept. 9, has confirmed 61 new deaths and 671 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. The high number of new deaths are from a backlog of reports received from over the weekend, and the low number of new cases reflect reduced testing due to the excessive heat.

Public Health is carefully monitoring data over the next couple of weeks to see the impact of the holiday weekend on the transmission of the virus across County communities and recommends testing for individuals possibly exposed to COVID-19.

If you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 over the holiday weekend, you are encouraged to get tested.  For example, if you were in a crowded area this weekend and people were not wearing cloth face coverings, you should get tested.  If you were around someone who was feeling sick, you should get tested.  And if you were with someone who has tested positive for the virus, even if they never felt sick, you should get tested.  Testing sites are open and appointments are available. 

Just over two weeks after Independence Day, the County experienced increases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. For example, the 7-day average of daily reported COVID-19 cases around July 4 was about 2,200 cases per day, but two weeks later the number of new cases increased to over 3,100.  

In July, the County saw the steepest increases in hospitalizations, where the average was over 2100 hospitalizations per day; the most significant peaks were two to three weeks after the July 4 holiday.  This past month however, daily hospitalizations have dropped back to an average of under 1000 hospitalizations a day, similar to the numbers in early April. Currently, there are 936 people who are confirmed cases currently hospitalized and 33% of these people are in the ICU. 

The 7-day average of daily deaths before July 4 was around 30 deaths per day, and tragically, 22 days after the July 4 holiday, the number of deaths climbed up to 44 deaths per day.

To date, Public Health has identified 249,859 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,090 deaths. Testing results are available for nearly 2,393,000 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive.

Murder Investigation And Arrest 10th St. and Cherry Ave.

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Murder Investigation And Arrest 10th St. and Cherry Ave.

On Sept. 8, at about 7 a.m., Long Beach Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired in front of a residence in the area of 10th Street and Cherry Ave., resulting in the death of a male adult.

The first responding officers located the victim down in the front yard of a residence. Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures and observed the victim was suffering from at least one apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso. Long Beach Fire Department personnel arrived and determined the victim deceased at the scene. 

The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Mathew Hak of Long Beach.

The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect arrived at Hak’s residence and confronted Hak while outside. The suspect fired his firearm, striking Hak at least once and also striking a residence. No other injuries were reported. The suspect then fled the area in his vehicle, which was parked nearby. Detectives learned Hak and the suspect were known to one another. The motive is believed to be an accusation of domestic violence and an assault to Hak’s relatives. 

The assault was reported to the Long Beach Police Department on June 10, 2020. The domestic violence was reported on August 4, 2020, and both incidents continue to be actively investigated. 53-year-old Kontharo Kang of Long Beach has been identified as a suspect in this case.

 At approximately 4:50 p.m. on the day of the murder, Kang was located by Long Beach Police Department detectives and taken into custody at a relative’s residence in the 2800 block of E 63rd. Kang has been booked into the Long Beach City jail on murder and is currently being held on $2,000,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Homicide Detectives Michael Hubbard, Leticia Gamboa, or Ethan Shear at 562-570-7244.

L.A. County And City Leaders Join Forces With Citizen to Launch SafePass Partnership

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L.A. County And City Leaders Join Forces With Citizen to Launch SafePass Partnership

LOS ANGELES –– Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, and Citizen CEO Andrew Frame appeared at a press conference at L.A. City Hall Sept 9, to announce a partnership with SafePass, a mobile app that provides contact tracing capabilities for individuals throughout Los Angeles County.

SafePass will allow users to self-report their symptoms for COVID-19 and receive notifications and alerts directly from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. All contact tracing data is anonymous, private, encrypted, and deleted after 30 days by Citizen. Officials encouraged residents to download the app to expand local efforts to track COVID-19 for L.A. County’s 10 million residents

“Contact tracing relies on residents sharing with us key information to identify close contacts, and today we are adding additional capacity for our program through SafePass,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “This new tool allows everyone to share responsibility for protecting each other, and I want to thank Citizen for their innovation and commitment to helping us slow the spread of COVID-19.”

“We must continue to use all available resources, data, and technology to fight COVID-19,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “In addition to our face coverings and physical distancing, contact tracing is an important part of beating this global health crisis.”

“COVID-19 knows no City boundaries, so we are thankful to have such strong partnerships with our neighboring Cities and the County to better serve our community,” said City of Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek. “This app is another tool that our residents can use to empower themselves to best take care of their health, and the health of those around them.”

“It’s promising to hear one of the greatest cities in America is embracing technology to fight this epidemic,” said Citizen CEO Andrew Frame. “With a possible second wave on the horizon, it’s critical we prepare now for the future.

The Citizen SafePass mobile app complements the existing local COVID-19 response efforts in Los Angeles County by introducing an innovative tool that ramps up the critical contact tracing process. Following three months of testing with more than 700,000 users, SafePass was recently made available to users across the United States.

Using Bluetooth technology and anonymized data, SafePass tracks any close contacts with other users, and alerts them to potential exposures. Any users who have meaningful contact with another user who later tests positive for COVID-19 will receive a notification to get tested. The app also offers immediate access to eligible users for a free at-home testing kit for those who have been notified of exposure through the app and provides up to date information about all active testing sites in Los Angeles County (terms and conditions apply see https://citizen.com/tracing/tests). All location data is anonymized and deleted after 30 days. To learn more about SafePass, visit citizen.com/safepass.The County of Los Angeles and City of Los Angeles have tested more than two million people since the start of the pandemic at testing sites located across the region. For more information about available testing in Los Angeles, visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ or coronavirus.lacity.org/testing.

TODAY – Community Forum On Police Reform

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TODAY – Community Forum On Police Reform

LOS ANGELES – Members of the Board of Police Commissioners, in conjunction with the Advisory Committee On Building Trust and Equity, will be conducting its first virtual community forum, Sept. 10. The forum series is aimed at listening to ideas and suggestions for police reform from community groups, social justice advocates, clergy, academics and other community-based organizations.

The recommendations will be used by the police Commission and the Advisory Committee in building a roadmap for continued police reform. Under the direction of the commission president, the advisory committee has begun its comprehensive review to evaluate existing reform proposals, past reforms recommended for the LAPD, recruitment and hiring, data collection and retention and discipline and accountability.

Members of the public may listen to the virtual meeting using the link provided below, on Sept. 10. In addition, members of the public wishing to provide specific proposals on police reform may submit their written ideas, maximum of two pages, to

policecimmissionadvisorycommittee@lapd.online.

https://lapd.zoom.us/j/97273589743

Or Accessible via phone 855-880-1246

Meeting ID: 972 7358 9743

The schedule for the forum series is:

4:30 p.m. Sept. 10

4 p.m. Sept. 17

4 p.m. Sept. 24

4 p.m. Oct. 1

Gov. Newsom Signs Bills to Support Small Businesses Grappling with Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic, Bolster Economic Recovery

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Gov. Newsom Signs Bills to Support Small Businesses Grappling with Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic, Bolster Economic Recovery

SACRAMENTO  — On Sept. 9, at Solomon’s Delicatessen, a small business in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom alongside Senator Anna Caballero signed two bills into law to support small businesses grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and another to jumpstart state construction projects.

“Businesses across the state have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and they need support to keep their doors open and their employees on the payroll,” said Governor Newsom. “Today, we are taking action to keep money in the hands of small businesses while expanding job opportunities for those who lost their jobs because of this virus. We have much more work to do together, but I know these bills will make a big difference for small businesses.”

California small businesses are drivers of economic growth – creating two-thirds of new jobs and employing nearly half of all private sector employees. California is home to 4.1 million small businesses, representing 99.8 percent of all businesses in the state and employing 7.2 million workers in California, or 48.5 percent of the state’s total workforce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to small businesses, employers and employees. Small Business Majority survey data found that up to 44% of businesses are at risk of shutting down. From February to April 2020, there was a 22% drop of active business owners nationwide according to data released through the Census Current Population Survey. Minority-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted: the number of active businesses owned by African-Americans dropped by 41%, Latinx by 32%, Asians by 25%, and immigrants by 36%.

Gov. Newsom signed two bills that will help support small businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 induced recession.

AB 1577 by Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood) conforms state law to federal law by excluding from gross income Paycheck Protection Program loans that were forgiven through the federal CARES Act and subsequent amendments in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020.

SB 1447 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas) and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantez (D-Corona) authorizes a $100 million hiring tax credit program for qualified small businesses. The hiring credit will be equal to $1,000 for each net increase in qualified employees, up to $100,000 for each qualified small business employer.

SB 115, a budget trailer bill, by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review appropriates $561 million in fiscal year 2020-21. This includes $411.5 million to advance economic stimulus with $230.5 million to help jumpstart construction projects.

Opened in 2019, Solomon’s Delicatessen is located at the sixth Tower Records location and named after its late founder, Russ Solomon. They closed in March after stay-at-home orders were announced. In April, they reopened for 10 weeks as a community kitchen through a $75,000 grant from Sacramento Covered and healthcare foundations (Kaiser, Dignity, Sutter) to help feed the homeless and medically fragile. They also participated in California’s Great Plates Delivered program.

Small businesses support is critical to ensure Californians are connected to the resources they need to pivot and adapt to the COVID-19 marketplace. The state is using every tool at our disposal to support small businesses as they work to safely reopen and recover from this public health crisis. Learn more here.

Help for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

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Help for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

LONG BEACH —  Earlier this year, Long Beach led a coalition of big city mayors in an effort to ensure Long Beach would receive a $40 million relief package funded by the state. The City of Long Beach also received $13 million from LA County to assist with our health response. Mayor Garcia thanks Gov. Gavin Newsom for his support and the local Long Beach delegation including Speaker Anthony Rendon, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, and Supervisor Janice Hahn. 

Today, these funds are being invested in the community. Long beach is using a comprehensive, equity-based spending plan that supports community activities and programs, while also minimizing the city’s budget shortfall caused by COVID-19.

Sustaining small businesses and community groups through this pandemic is a critical part of responding to COVID-19. This pandemic has devastated small businesses and caused record high unemployment nationwide. It will take federal funding like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and strong leadership to guide us through a recovery that lies in our future.

The funds will be primarily directed towards local small businesses and non-profit organizations. The application is available on the city’s CARES Act website and funding distribution will occur after September 15.

Investments include:

  • $4.1 million in funds to small business for recovery and technology improvements
  • $1 million in grants to Business Improvement District to continue marketing and promotions for local small businesses
  • $100,000 for small business education in multilingual formats for businesses outside existing Business Improvement Districts
  • $1 million for digital inclusion partnerships with community-based organizations to support equitable access to the internet and other digital resources
  • $200,000 for an economic equity study that will be conducted in partnership with CSULB and establish a baseline for economic recovery work going forward
  • $1.5 million in funding for working capital grants and arts education to support local arts, arts and culture
  • $1 million to local non-profit organizations to fund COVID-19 support services in the community

Acknowledging work already underway:

  • $750,000 that has supported PPE distribution to Long Beach business owners, nonprofit and child care organizations
  • $1 million in a Youth Leadership and Ambassador Program
  • $2 million has been invested to increase shelter capacity for people experiencing homelessness
  • $300,000 has gone into transforming our open spaces to support small business opportunities and create safe spaces to continue building community while physical distancing
  • $150,000 to support the small business call center which has been assisting small business with health order compliance, grant applications and other needs arising from changes we’ve all had to make due to COVID-19
  • $150,000 for an Economic Inclusion Coordinator who is responsible for managing the City’s Economic and Digital Inclusion Initiatives

More work will be done through:

  • $1 million for early childhood support
  • $500,000 to augment the existing-HUD funded Health Homes Program to remediate housing conditions that exacerbate COVID-19
  • $400,000 to support basic health needs and a hotline that connects individuals and families who need food, housing, insurance, cooling supports and medical supplies to those resources
  • $1 million to improve Black Health Equity outcomes
  • $785,000 to support non-profit organizations with outreach to hard-to-reach communities to provide COVID-19 support services
  • $500,000 to support older adults with essential services as they isolate in their homes during the pandemic
  • $500,000 to connect individuals and families needing services to available options based on need and eligibility
  • $500,000 for learning hubs and other safe spaces for youth programming
  • $500,000 to prevent domestic violence and encourage mental health supports
  • $3 million to redesign and expand meal distribution and delivery for those in need.

City of Long Beach To Receive $1 Million Grant For Development of A Black Infant Health Program Public Awareness Campaign

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City of Long Beach To Receive $1 Million Grant For Development of A Black Infant Health Program Public Awareness Campaign

LONG BEACH  — The City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the California Department of Public Health or CDHP over two years for the coordination, development and implementation of a public awareness campaign centered on the Black Infant Health or BIH Program.

Black babies in America die in their first year of life at more than twice the rate of babies from all other populations because they are born too soon and are too small. Likewise, more black women die during pregnancy and childbirth than any other ethnic group. Evidence suggests that negative birth outcomes of black women may be linked to chronic stress associated with social factors including racial discrimination.

Established in 1989, the Long Beach BIH Program supports 150 pregnant and postpartum women annually. The Long Beach BIH Program is one of 17 BIH programs across the state.

Long Beach BIH Program will collaborate with the Northern California grantee, Alameda County Public Health Department, to develop a statewide public awareness campaign focused on maternal and infant birth inequities in California. The campaign will include an app that will provide pregnancy education, gestational calendars, meditation and stress reduction strategies, as well as breastfeeding information specifically tailored to black women. The campaign will span across all 17 BIH programs.

How to Vote in the Presidential General Election

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How to Vote in the Presidential General Election

With a little over 40 days before the Presidential General Election, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn shared how LA County will make voting safe and accessible for you to cast your ballot this fall.

First: Be sure that you are registered or double-check your registration status by clicking here, www.lavote.net/home/voting-elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote/register 

Once you confirm you are registered to vote and your information is up-to-date, you can make a plan to vote in the Presidential General Election.

Here are your options:

Vote by mail.

All registered voters in LA County will be receiving a Vote-by-Mail ballot at their home address starting in October. 

This is so every voter will be able to cast their ballot safely from home if they choose to do so. 

The Facts:

  • Vote-by-Mail ballots begin mailing Oct. 5.
  • You have multiple options to return your ballot, by mail (no postage required), at a local Drop Box or at any participating Vote Center.

Voting by mail is easy, safe, and secure. Be on the lookout for your ballot in October.

Vote in person.

Voters will also have the option to cast their ballot in-person at participating Vote Centers across LA County.

The Facts:

  • Select vote centers will open beginning Saturday, Oct. 24, with all Centers open by Friday, Oct. 30.
  • Vote Centers will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the early voting period and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
  • All voter venters will follow State and County public health and safety guidelines, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) for Election Workers, wearing of facial coverings, social distancing, sanitizing surfaces and ballot marking devices after each use, etc.

A full list of vote venter locations will be made available on the LA County Registrar-Recorder’s website here in early October. A vote center catalog listing all locations will also be mailed to you leading up to the election.

Drop off your ballot.

There will be over 300 safe and secure vote by mail drop boxes available throughout the county — many of which will be open 24/7.

Vote by Mail Drop Boxes are a safe and accessible return option for all voters wanting to drop their mail-in ballot in the secure drop box.

Once a full list of these locations is made available by the Registrar-Recorder’s office, expect another email from Supervisor Hahn so you can see the locations nearest you.Details: LAVote.net, or email their office at voterinfo@rrcc.lacounty.gov with Election-related questions.

Red Flag Warning In Effect Now For Los Angeles County

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Red Flag Warning In Effect Now For Los Angeles County

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Fire Department has implemented its augmented staffing plan in response to the National Weather Service’s red flag warning which is in effect now through Sept.9, 2020, in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. 

In some areas, extreme Santa Ana wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour, as well as dangerous record-breaking heat and low humidity, are expected in canyon and mountain areas.  The strongest winds are predicted along the Interstate 5 corridor. 

These conditions have resulted in an elevated high fire danger throughout Los Angeles County.  Due to the increased fire risk, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby has ordered additional staffing and pre-deployment of resources throughout Los Angeles County.

At this time, we remind residents living in areas prone to wildfires to take appropriate precautions:

  • See something, say something.  Report any sign of smoke or fire immediately to your local fire department by dialing 9-1-1.  If you dial 9-1-1 from your cell phone, be sure to know your location.
  • Have your Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan in place.  It’s critical for residents to be familiar with the Ready! Set! Go! program that provides important pre-planning and evacuation information.

Details: fire.lacounty.gov/rsg.

San Pedro Festival of the Arts 2020

Melina Paris
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San Pedro Festival of the Arts 2020

San Pedro♥Festival of the Arts (previously the TriArt♥Festival) announces its 14th year.

This is a free virtual family event featuring dance exclusively in its many forms. The link opens on Sept. 19 and 20, open for two weeks through Oct. 4.

Eight years ago, the TriArt♥Festival moved to Ports O’ Call Village, helping draw in thousands of new spectators, performers and vendors to showcase San Pedro as a center for art. After creating settings in a few more locations, in 2019 San Pedro Festival of the Arts had a new home at Anderson Memorial Senior Citizen Center. In conjunction, a health/wellness and a visual art/community event produced by the Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks also took place both days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was unable to return to Anderson, leaving all group events in uncertainty. However, the Department of Cultural Affairs suggested moving to a digital platform honoring Council District 15. Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County supervisor of Supervisorial District 4, has also pledged a grant supporting this.

Original founder, Joe Caccavalla, envisioned the dance, music and visual arts and crafts as the heart of the festival to foster art appreciation. After his death in 2012, the producers re-forming as SAN PEDRO ♥ TRI ART Festival. Executive producer and dance director Louise Reichlin curates a diverse range of companies from a large competitive group of applications. Performances this year include ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary and specific and fusion ethnic groups. Professional choreographers range in age up to 79 years old. Also included are professional dance companies and four studios or schools including a few performers younger than 10.

As part of its mission, the San Pedro Festival of the Arts in collaboration with Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers / Louise Reichlin & Dancers assert that education that takes place in the arts transcends generational, cultural and economic boundaries. It provides the tools necessary for people of any age to express themselves, work through problems and find self-fulfillment. 

Indeed for students, the arts are especially important to promote self-confidence, to learn to work with others in teams to think creatively and ultimately to become a successful part of a larger community.

Performances

As a special feature besides videos, each piece will have a short introduction by the artist, or an interview with Reichlin, or a short verbal introduction. Andrew Zutta is editor for the online festival.

The exact times of each companies’ interview and performance, including bios and photos will be on the triartSP.com website closer to the opening.

The festival presents 19 curated, diverse dances from 17 companies and studios:

Akomi Dance,  Alán L. Pérez, Barkin/Selissen Project, Brittany Woo, Cathartic Art, Degas Dance Studio, Emergence Dance Company, Emergent Dance Company, Jose Costas Contempo Ballet, Kairos, Louise Reichlin & Dancers/LA Choreographers & Dancers, Mixed eMotion Theatrix, Pranamya Suri, Re:borN Dance Interactive, San Pedro City Ballet, Tonia Shimin, WestMet Classical Training, plus live interviews and scenes of San Pedro.

Time: Sept. 19 and 20 through Oct. 4.

Cost: Free

Details: www.triartSP.com, www.lachoreographersanddancers.org

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