Agenda Item No. 3
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: February 15, 2022 FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Response Update
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the countywide and City response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND
The City continues its work in addressing the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic following the direction of the County Public Health Department in coordination with other local agencies. The following is an update on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the county as well as the City’s continued response since the last regular Council meeting on January 24.
As of February 9, San Luis Obispo County has had a total of 49,270 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 35 current hospitalizations including eight in the ICU and 1,571 active cases at home. This is an 25% increase in total cases over the past three weeks though nearly a 30% decrease in active cases. Hospitalizations have also decreased by 35% over the past three weeks and the 14-day average number of new daily cases is now 389 which is significantly down from the alltime high of 649 on January 28.
In South County, there has been a total of 13,554 confirmed cases (approximately 28% of countywide cases) with 4,461 in Arroyo Grande, 4,068 in Nipomo, 2,406 in Grover Beach, 1,562 in Oceano, and 1,057 in Pismo Beach. Current case numbers in Grover Beach per 1,000 residents (185) continue to be lower than Oceano (223), Arroyo Grande (248), and Nipomo (254), though higher than Pismo Beach (132). There has been approximately a 35% increase in cases in Grover Beach over the past three weeks which is somewhat higher than the countywide trends in case numbers.
COVID metrics in January including cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were at the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic as predicted due to the transmission of the omicron variant.
However, conditions in the past couple of weeks have improved rapidly as seen in the decrease in hospitalizations from the peak experienced in January. This downward trend in hospitalization as well as cases was expected from the experience with the omicron variant in other parts of the country and in other countries. Given these improvements, the State on February 8 announced that the statewide mask order for indoor public places would expire beginning February 16. This mandate would still remain in place for unvaccinated individuals as well as for all individuals in higher risk settings such as public transit, child care centers, homeless shelters, and schools. San Luis Obispo County announced a similar lifting of the County’s mask order for indoor public spaces in alignment with the State.
Staff Report: COVID-19 Response Update Page 2
February 15, 2022
Vaccines are available for everyone ages 5 and up with boosters also available for ages 12 and up who received their vaccination five months ago. Approximately 67% of residents in San Luis Obispo County ages 5 and up have been fully vaccinated with 73% of residents at least partially vaccinated and 27% unvaccinated. In addition, approximately 51% of fully vaccinated residents have received a booster. Approximately 63% of residents ages 5 and up in Grover Beach are fully vaccinated and 70% partially vaccinated for reference. The rate of vaccination in the county continues to increase slowly towards the desired goal of 70%-80% of residents fully vaccinated.
The City continues to work with the County on outreach and mobile clinics in addition to the Public Health clinic at 286 South 16th Street. One of the County’s three testing sites is also located in Grover Beach at 1336 Ramona Avenue.
City Hall counter hours remain 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday to provide inperson public access during normal business hours in addition to access electronically though email or on the City’s website or over the phone. The counter is closed on Fridays to allow additional time for staff to process applications, issue permits, and carry out other administrative tasks. Employees are working primarily in the office however remote work is being carried out by some employees particularly with caregiving needs or who work in more open workspaces.
Council meetings remain virtual for now with a call-in function available for the public to make comments. However, staff is accelerating plans to return to in-person Council meetings given the upcoming expiration of the statewide and county mask orders with in-person meetings anticipated to resume shortly as COVID metrics continue to improve.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Receive an update on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic; or
2. Provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.