HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10; Coronavirus Preparedness Update 6; Calderwood, MichaelTo the members of the:
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Council Memorandum
March 10, 2020
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Honorable May0r Hall and Members of the City Council
Michael Calderwood Fi e Chief
David Harrison, Assis ant1Director of Emergency Services
Scott Chadwick, f ity i}1Viager
Coronavirus Prep~ess Update 6
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2020023
This memorandum updates the Coronavirus Preparedness Council Memorandum dated March
3, 2020 and summarizes major coronavirus developments for the period ending March 10,
2020.
Background
The outbreak of COVID-19 has continued to spread both globally and domestically within the
U.S. Thirty-four states now have confirmed cases. San Diego County reported its first
presumptive positive travel-related case on March 9, 2020. Some organizations in the region
have started to reassess scheduled activities and make adjustments. Concerns about the virus
have started to impact social, education and economic sectors, most notably the stock market.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared COVID-19 a pandemic although the
virus' spread is demonstrating many such characteristics. As of March 10, 25 COVID-19 deaths
have been recorded in the U.S. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other agencies are
continuing work to control COVID-19 spread using containment strategies (travel restrictions,
isolation, quarantine, etc.) and mitigate the impacts of "community spread", defined as cases of
unknown origin, which is now increasing in the U.S. Multiple health laboratories around the
nation have established the capability to test for.the virus, including San Diego. All tests are still
being confirmed by the CDC. Cases are being referred to as "presumptive" cases until
confirmed by the CDC.
Highlights
• Local and California
o The rate of seasonal flu in San Diego County has decreased for the fourth
consecutive week. Influenza activity has fallen from high to moderate levels. As
of Feb. 29, there have been 18,686 cases resulting in 80 deaths.
o San Diego County COVID-19 local health and emergency proclamations remain in
effect. These actions empower the County to:
• More effectively respond to COVID-19
Fire Department
Safety Center 2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 760-931-2141 t
CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS
March 10, 2020
Page 2
• Seek and utilize mutual aid
• Potentially obtain reimbursement
• Ensure.health professionals have all necessary tools available, such as
N95 respirators
o California's State of Emergency remains in effect. This action:
• Includes provisions that protect consumers against price gouging
• Allows for health care workers to come from out of state to assist at
health care facilities
• Gives health care facilities the flexibility to plan and ada'pt to
accommodate incoming patients
• Recognizes the possibility of assistance to local governments that have
demonstrated extraordinary or disproportionate impacts from COVID-19,
if appropriate and necessary, under the California Disaster Assistance Act
o On March 3, Governor Newsom announced the release of millions of N95 masks
to address shortages caused by COVID-19
o On March 5, San Diego County Chairman Greg Cox and Public Health Officer Dr.
Wilma Wooten were joined by medical, education and business leaders to
update efforts to prepare the community for the potential emergence of the
COVID-19 virus. Highlights include:
• Reiteration of key messages:
■ Practice good hand hygiene
■ Don't touch face
• Clean work spaces
• Stay home when sick
• Find out policies from employer
• Separate from sick family, friends
• Stay informed
■ If questions, call 2-1-1
• Local health agency engaged in three key roles:
• Monitoring travelers
■ Managing patients under investigation (PUl's)
■ Activity planning for outbreak or pandemic
• UCSD health representative said all are preparing for community spread
• San Diego County Office of Education Superintendent said schools are
focused on prevention, preparedness, rapid response and seamless
recovery; under state law, school's charge is to remain open so long as it
is safe to do so
• San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce representative reiterated
hand and respiratory hygiene, encouraged businesses to be flexible with
sick leave policies, check on travel guidance, prepare for employee
absence and cross-train employees
CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS
March 10, 2020
Page 3
• · Supervisor Nathan Fletcher stated the current risk remains low and said
hand washing stations were being made available to local jurisdictions
o On March 5, California Department of Social Services released guidance for all
adult and senior care program licensees
o As of March 9, the number of people under San Diego County Public Health
COVID-19 supervision and actively being monitored is 82, with no current
confirmed positive and 1 presumptive positive case. The number of patients
under investigation pending results is 22.
o On March 7, California Department of Public Health released updated guidance
for schools, colleges and large public events to prepare and protect Californians
from COVI D-19
o On March 9, a joint state and federal effort got underway to disembark
passengers from the cruise ship Grand Princess in the port of Oakland. Sick
passengers were taken to medical facilities in California and those not requiring
immediate care were housed in federal facilities for testing and isolation. Some
will be relocated to MCAS Miramar.
• National and Global:
o On March 3, Environmental Protection Agency published a list of approved
disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
o On March 3, White House Coronavirus Task Force, chaired by the Vice President,
held a press conference. Highlights included:
• The risk to the American public of contracting the coronavirus remains
low
• Stay home when you're sick. Avoid close contact with people who are
sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your cough or
sneeze with tissue; throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect
frequently. Wash your hands with either disinfectant or soap and water
for at least 20 seconds.
• There's no need for Americans to buy masks
• House of Representatives passed a federal funding bill for $8.3 billion,
which Senate subsequently passed and the President signed
• Whole-of-government approach, whole-of-America approach to COVID-
19
• Elderly are the most vulnerable, especially those with serious health
issues. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services has issued new
guidelines for nursing homes nationwide.
• All state laboratories, all university laboratories at the state level, can
conduct coronavirus tests without any additional assets or resources
from the federal government
• State surveyors are going to be surveying the nation's nursing homes and
hospitals around infection control
CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS
March 10, 2020
Page 4
■ N95 masks are for the healthcare workers that are taking care of
patients. Task force does not recommend them to be used by the
general public.
■ 3M is poised to begin manufacturing millions more masks for healthcare
workers
■ HHS has designated the coronavirus test as an essential health benefit,
meaning that the service is now covered in the private health insurance
of every American, as well as covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
■ Travel restrictions remain in effect for State Department identified
countries
o March 9 CDC telebriefing and Johns Hopkins COVID-19 statistical highlights
include:
■ More than 110,000 cases worldwide
■ In the U.S., more than 800 cases reported in 34 states, with more than
50% of cases in Washington State and California. Twenty-five deaths have
been reported-23 fatalities in Washington, 2 fatalities in California.
■ Clarified risk, risk of becoming exposed, risk of getting very sick. Many
people in the U.S. will become exposed, many will become sick. 80% of
cases will be mild, 15-20% will be serious.
■ Higher risk for adults over 60 years old, particularly those with underlying
medical conditions
■ Highest risk for adults over 80 years old, with serious underlying medical
conditions
■ So far, less than 2% of people under 19 years old have been impacted
seriously
■ Recommendation for those at high risk:
• Have supplies on hand, particularly medicines
• Have adequate supply of household items on hand
• Avoid those who are sick
• Wash hands often
• Avoid crowds
• Avoid non-essential travel
• Know what is going on in your community-related to community
spread ·
• Specific decisions on how to respond to outbreak will be made
locally, follow local officials lead
• Different states will have different capabilities and policies
• Now is not the time for general public to be getting masks, fight
urge to buy masks
Actions and Next Steps, as appropriate
A COVID-19 report will be presented to City Council on March 10. City of Carlsbad Emergency
CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS
March 10, 2020
Page 5
Services, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and others continue to coordinate with regional
and local stakeholders and monitor Presidential Task Force, HHS, CDC and local County Health
telebriefings and teleconferences. In addition to updating the City's Continuity of Operations
Plan (COOP), Carlsbad Emergency Management Administrative Team (CEMAT) met on March 3
and reviewed and prepared to recommend implementation, if and when appropriate, relevant
CDC pandemic guidelines, coordinated with San Diego County Public Health.
Coordination with Carlsbad Unified School District, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and other
community partners continues. Carlsbad Communications Department has established a city
COVID-19 webpage (https://www.tarlsbadca.gov/services/depts/fire/emergency/coronavirus.asp)
and the City Manager has disseminated COVID-19 information to city employees. The City's Parks
and Recreation Director coordinated with the County and has had multiple hand washing stations
placed at various locations throughout the city. The Deputy City Managers for Administrative
Services and Public Works have submitted a memorandum to City Council on systems capability
testing with telecommuting. Information Technology, along with other key and essential
personnel, will be participating in the testing.
The COVID-19 guidelines and updates mentioned in this memorandum.are being actively
shared with appropriate community partners and/or are being made available through the
city's COVID-19 webpage. Carlsbad Fire Chief, and Operational Area Coordinator, has
established a regional COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT), to which Carlsbad's
Assistant Director of Emergency Services has been assigned. North Zone Fire Chiefs have
disseminated emergency medical services protocols for area EMS ambulance crews.
CC: Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Neil Gallucci, Chief of Police