Agenda Item No. 7
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: March 14, 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 February 28.
As of March 8, San Luis Obispo County has had a total of 52,739 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 13 current hospitalizations including one in the ICU and 368 active cases at home. This is only a 1.4% increase in total cases over the past two weeks with a 50% decrease in active cases and a 35% decrease in hospitalizations. In South County, there has been a total of 14,317 confirmed cases (approximately 27% of countywide cases) with 4,733 in Arroyo Grande, 4,298 in Nipomo, 2,542 in Grover Beach, 1,635 in Oceano, and 1,109 in Pismo Beach. Current case numbers in Grover Beach per 1,000 residents (195) continue to be lower than Oceano (234), Arroyo Grande (263), and Nipomo (269), though higher than Pismo Beach (139). There has been approximately a 1.6% increase in cases in Grover Beach over the past two weeks which is consistent with countywide trends in case numbers.
Conditions in the past couple of weeks have continued to improve as seen in the decrease in active cases and hospitalizations from the peak in January. This downward trend was expected from the experience with the omicron variant in other parts of the country and in other countries.
Given these improvements, the statewide mask order for indoor public places expired on February
16. This mandate remains in place 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.
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 74% of residents at least partially vaccinated and 26% unvaccinated. In addition, approximately 51% of fully vaccinated residents have received a booster. Approximately 64% of residents ages 5 and up in Grover Beach are fully vaccinated and 71% 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.
Vaccinations are available at the Public Health clinic at 286 South 16th Street and one of the County’s three testing sites is located at 1336 Ramona Avenue.
Staff Report: COVID-19 Response Update Page 2
March 14, 2022
City Hall counter hours are 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. Beginning with a special meeting for the Council held on March 7, Council and Commission meetings are returning this month to in-person meetings with a call-in function available for the public to make comments without having to attend the meeting in person.
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.