This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the guidance outlined herein. This email newsletter also serves as the City's official press release regarding the City's COVID-19 response, and press inquiries may be directed to City Manager Frank Rush at 909-866-5832 or via email.

The City issues these COVID-19 updates periodically as significant or new information emerges. To be sure you are receiving the latest and most accurate information, please sign up for this email newsletter by clicking here . PLEASE share this email newsletter with anyone and everyone, as we want to reach as many people as possible with this information. Thank you!

According to the latest data from San Bernardino County, there have now been a cumulative total of 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases since mid-March. Of this total, there have been 46 cases in the City of Big Bear Lake, 33 cases in Big Bear City, and 12 cases in Sugarloaf.

The City is now receiving Big Bear Valley-specific information from San Bernardino County contact tracers. According to the latest report, 83 of these individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and there are currently 8 active cases in the Big Bear Valley. This equates to approximately 1 active case per 2,750 residents of the Big Bear Valley. Thankfully, there have been no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

There have been a total of 14 cases reported in the Big Bear Valley over the past two weeks, which equates to a two-week new case rate of 64 per 100,000 population in the Big Bear Valley. This two-week new case rate remains lower than the State of California as a whole, lower than San Bernardino County, and lower than all Southern California counties, thankfully.

Because any COVID-19 patients from the Big Bear Valley would likely be treated by other, larger hospitals in San Bernardino County, City officials continue to closely monitor hospitalization and ventilator data in the entire County.

According to the latest data, there are currently 500 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County. This number has decreased by 32.2% since the peak of 738 patients on July 25.

According to the latest data, there are now a total of 130 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, and this number has decreased by 36.6% since the peak of 205 ICU patients on July 25. There are now a total 146 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County.

We are all very pleased to see COVID-19 hospitalizations continuing to decrease in our county, and are hopeful this trend will continue.

San Bernardino County public health officials recently released new data regarding the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive during the two-week period between July 27 and August 9.

In the Big Bear Valley, there were a total of 125 individuals tested at various locations during this period, with a total of 9 positive tests, or 7.2% of those tested. To put this in perspective, 13.0% of those tested in all areas of San Bernardino County tested positive for COVID-19.

With testing now more readily available, San Bernardino County and the City of Big Bear Lake are encouraging EVERYONE to get tested for COVID-19, even if you don't have symptoms!

Many people are unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus and are asymptomatic, and more frequent testing will help to identify those individuals --- and protect others in our community who are more vulnerable. Additionally, the more people that are tested, the better understanding we'll all have about the true incidence of COVID-19 in our community, and this may allow our businesses to fully reopen sooner than might otherwise occur.

The County offers many testing sites in various locations, and you can schedule your free test by clicking here. Additionally, the City is working to schedule another Big Bear Lake testing event at City Hall in mid-September, and more details will be provided soon. Finally, the City is partnering with Bear Mountain Family Medicine Urgent Care, and will be offering free, daily testing by or before September 1.

To learn more about COVID-19 testing in San Bernardino County, including a greater explanation about why it's so helpful, doesn't take much time, and is quick, easy, and relatively painless, please click here.

The City Council has awarded a $46,800 grant to Bear Mountain Family Medicine Urgent Care to begin offering daily testing, at no cost, to residents of the Big Bear Valley. Grant funds will be used to purchase 900 test kits and a testing device that will enable us to provide test results while the patient is still in the office.

Testing is expected to begin no later than September 1, and hopefully sooner. Appointments will be scheduled approximately every 15 minutes, and will be administered at the Urgent Care facility at 41949 Big Bear Boulevard. Additional details will be provided in a future City COVID-19 update.

This testing is being funded by Federal grant funding awarded to the City, and we are pleased to be able to expand local testing, with nearly immediate results, in the Big Bear Valley.

The Big Bear Valley remains fortunate to experience a relatively low incidence of COVID-19, and is among the safest places in California. We are fortunate to be located in a somewhat isolated, natural environment that is naturally socially distanced, with an outdoor-based lifestyle. Having said that, COVID-19 remains a serious threat to our community, and the City and many other partners continue to work hard to promote the health and safety of our residents - especially those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

The City of Big Bear Lake recognizes that we are a safe, convenient, and desirable location during the COVID-19 event, and many of our valued second homeowners are spending prolonged periods of time in our community - and we are glad to have them here in our community! These second homeowners care deeply about our community, are our neighbors, patronize our local businesses, and enjoy it here for all the same reasons those of us who are lucky enough to live here year-round!

The City also welcomes our visitors during these challenging times - as long as they are behaving in a safe, responsible, and respectful manner. This means wearing a face covering when interacting with others (indoors and outdoors), maintaining 6 ft. of distance from other groups, and practicing good hygiene. It also means being respectful of those who live near our lodging facilities and vacation rentals so that our residents can peacefully enjoy their homes. We simply need our visitors to quiet down after 10 pm, adhere to all other laws and regulations, and keep our community clean - DON'T LITTER! Visitors should also bring groceries and supplies from their home community to maintain our local supply.

There have been recent reports of anonymous flyers being posted on certain properties in Big Bear Lake suggesting that our second homeowners and visitors stay away. This group is not affiliated with the City in any way, the City does not share these views, and this group is trespassing on their neighbors' properties.

PLEASE do your part, and be vigilant in your efforts:

The City is happy to assist any of our businesses with compliance efforts, and City staff are making periodic visits to all Big Bear Lake businesses to educate business owners, offer assistance, and provide free masks.

The City's goal is to work cooperatively with our businesses to keep everyone safe, and also help your business avoid a potential punitive action by State officials. For assistance, please contact City Hall at 909-866-5831 or email us. The City is committed to helping our businesses operate safely and maintain profitability!

The easiest way to stay-informed is to sign up for the City's email newsletter and other updates. It's easy to sign up - simply visit the City's website and click on "Text & Email Notifications" in the top center of the homepage. Simply click on the link, enter your name and email address, and you're all set. Signing up will ensure that you receive periodic updates about COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, the City's new monthly newsletter - Elevation 6752', and other special communications from the City of Big Bear Lake for emergency situations, special events, and more.