COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to accelerate at alarming speed. In LA County, there are 2,439 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, and 24% of these people are in the ICU. The average daily number of people hospitalized has increased by 93% in just two weeks.
According to Public Health, the exponential increase in cases that we continue to witness is not due to random events out of our control. Many of these cases could have been prevented by individuals and businesses following straightforward public health measures of masking, distancing and infection control. Even when relatively small numbers of businesses and individuals fail to adhere to sensible precautions, many others experience the consequences of these lapses.
Effective Monday, November 30 through December 20, Safer at Home Orders have been put into effect that aim to reduce the risk of transmission in the following several ways:
Requesting that individuals remain in their homes and with their immediate households as much as possible and reduce mingling with others not in your household.
Requiring that everyone wear a face covering whenever they are engaging in activities outside their homes where they are or can be in contact with others not in their household; this includes at gyms, at parks, at beaches. Unless swimming, please keep your face covering on over your nose and mouth.
And reducing capacity at sites where non-household members mingle to avoid crowding.
Our choices matter, and following the rules that reduce virus transmission is the only way to get back to slowing the spread.
Anytime a person removes their mask and interacts in close distance with others not in their household, even outdoors, they risk either infecting another person with COVID-19 or becoming infected themselves. The longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
It is critical that everyone follow the simple public health safety measures that provide protection from COVID-19 and minimize spreading it to friends and family.
2. COVID-19 Counts in Culver City and LA County
The City of Culver City mourns the loss of our residents who have passed away, which sadly includes the passing of residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department tracks COVID-19 cases and deaths of County residents.
The County’s daily case numbers continue to keep us in the State’s most restrictive purple tier (Tier 1) in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Currently, L.A. County's adjusted case rate is 20.2 new cases per 100,000 people.
Please protect yourself and those around you by wearing a face covering, washing your hands regularly, staying at home as much as possible, keeping at least six feet of physical distance from others when in public, and avoiding people you do not live with.
3. Thirty-Second Supplement to Public Order
On November 30, 2020, the City of Culver City issued the Thirty-Second Supplement to Public Order to mirror the County's new restrictions, as well as extend the outdoor dining license fees and valet parking license fees.
4. Culver City Parks Updates
The following closures/restrictions in Culver City parks and public spaces are effective Monday, November 30, 2020 through December 20, 2020.
Culver City parks remain generally open as outdoor-only facilities from dawn to dusk for active recreation; running, biking, walking, swimming, playing outdoors are permitted with distancing, infection control and masking (except while swimming).
We encourage families who live in the same household to take a walk or kick a soccer ball among themselves. However, playing with members of a different household and touching the same ball or coming into contact with each other is not allowed.
In all cases, group gatherings with those outside your household are prohibited.
Indoor and outdoor facilities where it may be challenging to practice social distancing, including gymnasiums, are closed.
Playgrounds and outdoor exercise (parcourse) equipment are closed.
The Municipal Plunge is open only for regulated lap swimming with one person per lane.
All events and programming are cancelled or suspended.
City-operated youth day camps are permitted.
Outdoor field spaces are available for limited rentals.
Park restrooms are open from 7 AM – 6 PM.
5. Grant Opportunity: Keep LA County Dining
In an effort to assist restaurants affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, Los Angeles County will launch the Keep LA County Dining Grant Program on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 12:00 AM.
The Keep LA County Dining Grant will provide $30,000 to use as working capital for employee payroll expenses, capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses, and adaptive business practices needed to remain open. Preference will be given to restaurants that provided outdoor dining as of November 24, 2020. Learn more about the Keep LA County Dining Grant Program.
6. On the Front Lines for All of Us
What’s the best way to thank those on the front lines? Join the fight. Help slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and physically distancing. #YourActionsSaveLives
7. FREE COVID-19 Testing
Please note: a COVID-19 test will not protect you and others around you from the virus. Even if you receive a negative result, you should practice physical distancing, wear a face covering, and wash your hands frequently. A negative COVID-19 test does not guarantee that you do not have the virus. With widespread community transmission, there is a daily risk of being infected with COVID-19.
Please be sure to get tested if:
You are having symptoms of COVID-19.
If you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you think you were exposed because you were working, especially in essential services, in a place where you are frequently exposed to other people who may not be taking precautions.
If you share living spaces with other people who may be positive for COVID-19.
If you have been in a crowd or gathering where people were close together and not wearing face coverings and/or keeping their distance.
If you think you need a test, the County encourages you to call your doctor first. Testing is best done by a healthcare provider, so that they can monitor your care. If you do not have a doctor or are unable to contact them, dial 2-1-1 for a referral to a provider. Other private COVID-19 testing may be available. Find a community testing site near you with the California for ALL Testing Tool.
Public Health recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. The more people vaccinated against the flu, the more people will be protected from the flu! To find a flu immunization near you, call your doctor, your local pharmacy or go to the vaccine finder website. To find a flu immunization at LOW COST or FREE, call 2-1-1 or visit the Public Health website.
9. LA County Community Equity Fund Helps to Address Health with Community-Based Organizations in Regions and for Communities Most Impacted by COVID-19
Today, LA County launched the County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities disproportionately impacted by the virus. Fifty-one community-based organizations, or CBOs, will receive funding to provide a range of services, including outreach, education, case investigation and contact tracing. They also will help individuals who live in hard-hit neighborhoods connect with health and social services.
The goal of the Community Equity Fund is to reduce the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in LA County by partnering with organizations and providing them with funding, training and technical assistance. The organizations will raise awareness in their communities on how to prevent spreading COVID-19 and will connect residents to health care, social services and COVID-19 testing when necessary. Some will also conduct case investigation and contact tracing to inform people who have been exposed to or are infected with COVID-19 about their risks and the need to isolate and quarantine, respectively.
The Culver City Emergency Food Drive continues to accept donations to help those in need in Culver City. If you or one of your neighbors are in need of food, please call the Culver City CERT Assistance Call Center at (310) 253-5545.
With many neighbors in our community over the age of 65 and/or with underlying medical conditions, and those neighbors who have lost their jobs, who don’t have the means to purchase and pickup groceries during the pandemic, we welcome your help! Let’s bridge that gap by being a neighbor that helps neighbors and donate non-perishable food items to those in need.
The requested non-perishable items are:
Rice, dried beans (pinto, black, lentil), pasta sauce, canned meat (Vienna sausages, spam, etc.), canned vegetables, canned fruit, rolled oats, low-sodium soups, freeze dried meats, fruits and vegetables, flour, chips and salsa, popcorn, honey, canned fruit juice, water.
Items that are most needed are canned vegetables and canned fruits, tuna, peanut butter and pasta.
Please drop off your non-perishable food items at any of the following locations or call the CERT Assistance Call Center at (310) 253-5545 to arrange a donation pick up from your doorstep by Bike Culver City.
Culver City Presbyterian Church 11269 Washington Blvd.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 PM to 4 PM (enter through the courtyard)
Larsen Automotive 10707 Jefferson Blvd.
Hours : Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 4 PM
Petco 5347 Sepulveda Blvd.
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM Every day
Sorrento Italian Market 5518 Sepulveda Blvd.
Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM (Closed Tuesday) Sunday - 7 AM to 4 PM
For more information, call Ira Diamond, Organizer, at (213) 309-4084 or Christine Parra, Culver City Emergency Coordinator, at (310) 253-5909.
FeedCulver
Culver City is an amazing community, and it’s pulling together to help those who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. An example of this amazing community support and collaboration is FeedCulver. FeedCulver is a partnership between local restaurants, the Exchange Club, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association, working with Mayor Göran Eriksson, Council Member Thomas Small, and local non-profits to prepare and distribute nourishing and nutritious meals to those in need in the Culver City community – and they need your support to make it happen.
How does it work? Local restaurants, led by Akasha, create and package meals, which are delivered to volunteer organizations each day to be distributed through their programs.
Who does this serve? FeedCulver distributes around 100 free meals per day to those in need in the Culver City community through local partners. Additionally, this program helps keep local businesses open and their employees working.
What can I do? Make a donation—buy a meal for a neighbor in need! Click here to donate to FeedCulver. All donations will be managed by the Exchange Club and the money will be used to cover the cost of food and preparation. Or, prepare food—do you own a restaurant or catering business? Contact FeedCulver about getting involved. Please note, due to stringent health requirements FeedCulver is not able to engage with home cooks at this time.
LA County Food Resources
Los Angeles County is committed to preventing hunger and ensuring access to food for all residents. The County is currently mobilizing a Countywide response to hunger by coordinating public agencies, nonprofits, and volunteers to provide meals to anyone in need during the weeks and months to come. LA County residents can visit the County COVID-19 website's food portal to receive or provide support at this critical time. The LA County portal connects those in need to those who can help. The food-insecure can find meal and voucher programs. Community organizations can find out how to connect people to the goods that are most needed.
Great Plates Delivered
LA County's Great Plates Delivered program extended through November 8th!
This program provides three free home-delivered meals a day from local restaurants to qualifying older adults and adults over 60 who are at high-risk of COVID-19. Great Plates Delivered not only helps LA County's most vulnerable residents, but helps get local restaurants, hospitality, and transportation industries back to work.
To be eligible for this program, individuals:
must meet age requirements
are 65 or older; OR are 60-64 and have been diagnosed with, exposed to or at high risk of COVID-19 as defined by the CDC
are unable to prepare or obtain meals
are not currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs such as CalFresh/SNAP
must live alone or with one other program-eligible adult
must earn between $25,520 to $74,940 (single household) or between $34,380 to $101,460 (two-person household) per year
must live in unincorporated LA County or a city that does not offer its own Great Plates Delivered program
LA County wants to remind you that CalFresh food assistance is available. Food assistance is needed more than ever to help individuals and households who have just lost jobs, businesses, homes and other financial resources, as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis.
While LA County's Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) offices remain closed, DPSS experts are still open for business and are ready to assist you.
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need or question related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need or question. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM).