Update #71
COVID-19 Emergency
June 2, 2020 - 5:30 pm
City COVID-19 Updates Will Now Be Issued Only As New Information Emerges, No More Daily Updates

City Remains Vigilant in Monitoring, Managing COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake

No Change in Confirmed Cases, Now 25 Days Since Last New Case in Big Bear

Hospital, Ventilator Capacity Remain Constant

City Council Meeting Scheduled for June 8, First Meeting in 3 Months With In-Person Audience at City Hall

City, Visit Big Bear, Chamber Will Provide Free Masks in The Village Again This Weekend

Recommendations and Resources for Residents, Businesses, and Visitors

July 4 Fireworks Decision Expected Later In June
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE
The City of Big Bear Lake is working hard to ensure that the residents, second home owners, investors, businesses, and visitors in our community have the correct information about the status of COVID-19 threats in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to these threats.

This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the recommendations 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.
 
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!
CITY COVID-19 UPDATES WILL NOW BE ISSUED ONLY AS NEW INFORMATION EMERGES, NO MORE DAILY UPDATES
The City has provided regular COVID-19 updates for the Big Bear community since mid-March in an effort to keep our residents, second home owners, investors, businesses, and residents well-informed about the impact of COVID-19 on our community and the City's response. A total of 71 updates have been provided on almost daily basis - on 71 of the past 83 days.

With the City gradually emerging from the worst impacts of COVID-19 and life transitioning to a new normal, there is not as much new, emerging information to report to our community about the City's COVID-19 response. In light of these positive developments, and to be mindful not to overwhelm our nearly 5,500 subscribers with repetitive emails, the City is now adjusting the frequency of COVID-19 updates. After today, the City will only issue COVID-19 updates as new information emerges that is specific to and helpful to the residents, second home owners, investors, businesses, and residents of Big Bear Lake. The specific timing of new COVID-19 updates will depend on the substance and urgency of the information, and the City remains committed to keeping our community well-informed.

The City expects to issue new updates at least once or twice per week going forward, but will absolutely adjust this schedule and provide more frequent information as warranted. If there are several days with especially important or helpful information, the COVID-19 updates will be issued every day. If several days go by, with no significant new information, no COVID-19 update will be issued.

The City's subscribers are directed to simply refer to the most recent COVID-19 update issued by the City and delivered to your email inbox. Additionally, the most recent COVID-19 update will be posted prominently on the City's website , and also included on the City's various social media accounts (listed below). Additionally, please feel free to email any specific questions to City Manager Frank Rush or call City Hall at 909-866-5831.
CITY REMAINS VIGILANT IN MONITORING, MANAGING COVID-19 IN BIG BEAR LAKE
The City remains fully engaged with the Federal, State, and County governments, with other local agencies and our partners in the Big Bear Valley, with the Big Bear business community, and with many others. The City is committed to guiding our community through the COVID-19 event in a safe, fair, and effective manner, and continues to explore every possible strategy to keep our residents safe, promote the economic success of our businesses and residents, and build an even stronger sense of community.

The City will continue to diligently:

  • communicate and coordinate with public health officials and other government officials,

  • track and report any confirmed new COVID-19 cases,

  • track and report any significant changes in hospital and ventilator capacity, both locally and regionally,

  • monitor and communicate any adjustments to the Governor's Resilience Roadmap so that Big Bear businesses have the most current information, in a manner that is specific to Big Bear,

  • promote the use of face coverings, proper physical distancing, and personal hygiene,

  • seek additional COVID-19 testing opportunities for our residents,

  • promote the strategic marketing of our beautiful community to others, to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors and also ensure a vibrant local economy,

  • share any helpful information to help our businesses recover losses and generate new business activity in the future,

  • seek any and all Federal and State financial assistance to benefit our community, and

  • make any and all necessary strategic adjustments to keep our community safe.

Mayor Herrick, the City Council, the City Manager, and City staff all continue to work hard - for you!. The City continues to seek the proper balance for our community that respects ALL concerns - health, safety, economic, financial, social, mental health, and community - and continues to promote personal responsibility by all.

NO CHANGE IN CONFIRMED CASES, NOW 25 DAYS SINCE LAST NEW CASE IN BIG BEAR
Thankfully, there are no new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Big Bear Valley again today.

The total cumulative case count, according to San Bernardino County public health officials, in the Big Bear Valley is 9 cases - with 6 reported for the City of Big Bear Lake and 3 in unincorporated areas. It is important to note that these are cumulative totals since reporting began in early March, and that most of these individuals have fully recovered by now and have resumed normal activities. Thankfully, there have been no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

In recent weeks, it's important to point out that there has been only 1 new confirmed case in the Big Bear Valley in the past month+, and 0 new cases in the past 25 days. With an increase in visitors to Big Bear over the past 3 weekends and the potential for new community spread, the City is closely monitoring the emergence of new COVID-19 cases in our community, and will continue to do so.

The County reports a total of 5,501 confirmed cases in all of San Bernardino County. A total of 64,604 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with 8.5% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, a total of 208 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County.

This data is updated daily at the County's COVID-19 dashboard, and the City encourages everyone to view this site for the most accurate information.
HOSPITAL, VENTILATOR CAPACITY REMAIN CONSTANT
Thankfully, the health care systems in both the Big Bear Valley and San Bernardino County have maintained sufficient hospital and ventilator availability for the duration of the COVID-19 event.

There are approximately 6,000 hospital beds in San Bernardino County, and it is also important to note that the County has specifically identified 1,211 "surge capacity" beds (the number of additional beds a hospital could provide if all available space was needed) in response to the COVID-19 event. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in San Bernardino County peaked on April 10, more than 7 weeks ago, with 451 patients hospitalized. According to the latest County data, there are currently 209 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County.

According to the latest San Bernardino County data, there are a total of 63 COVID-19 patients in intensive care. There are currently 205 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County. The number of ICU patients also peaked on April 10, more than 7 weeks ago, with 124 patients in ICU.

According to the latest San Bernardino County data, COVID-19 patients are currently utilizing 50 ventilators out of the 793 ventilators in our County. There are a total of 171 ventilators currently being utilized by patients with other ailments, and a total of 572 ventilators remain available. Since May 1, there have never been less than 541 ventilators available in San Bernardino County.

Thankfully, Bear Valley Community Hospital and Big Bear Fire / EMS officials continue to experience manageable patient loads and call volumes. Bear Valley Community Hospital is equipped with more than 30 hospital beds and 7 ventilators, but it is important to note that any COVID-19 patients would likely be transferred to larger hospitals in San Bernardino County (perhaps Loma Linda, Arrowhead, or others) where more specialized care is available. Thus, it is critically important for the City to monitor overall trends in San Bernardino County.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 8, FIRST MEETING IN 3 MONTHS WITH IN-PERSON AUDIENCE IN CITY HALL
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 6 pm, and will be the first City Council meeting conducted in front of an in-person audience at City Hall since March 9. The City is pleased to again host the public in City Hall, and welcomes and encourages your attendance.

Public seating will be spaced at least 6 ft. apart, and hand sanitizer will be available for all attendees. Face coverings are required for all attendees, and will be provided to anyone in attendance who does not have a face covering.

The City Council meeting will also be broadcast on channel 182 and at the City's website (click on the green "Watch Live Video" button in the top right corner).
CITY, VISIT BIG BEAR, AND CHAMBER WILL PROVIDE FREE MASKS IN THE VILLAGE AGAIN THIS WEEKEND
The City of Big Bear Lake, Visit Big Bear, and the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce partnered together this past weekend to educate visitors and provide free face masks to anyone who needed a mask. T his effort was well-received by our visitors and businesses, and staff and volunteers distributed more than 2,000 free masks!

The City greatly appreciates the partnership with Visit Big Bear and the Chamber for this effort, and plans to set up again this coming weekend. Tents will again be set up on Pine Knot Drive near Copper Q and one on Village Drive near Barrel 33 from 10 am - 5 pm on June 6 and 7.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND VISITORS
The City has compiled specific recommendations and resources for our residents, businesses, and visitors, and encourages everyone to diligently implement these recommendations and take advantage of these resources:








JULY 4 FIREWORKS DECISION EXPECTED LATER IN JUNE
The City and Visit Big Bear have partnered this year to produce the annual July 4 fireworks show, and  we look forward to continuing this great annual tradition!

As of now, the July 4 fireworks show is still on. We continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions in Big Bear Lake, and continue to monitor applicable COVID-19 restrictions. We should know by mid or late June if the show will be postponed, and additional information will be included in future City COVID-19 updates as we get closer to July 4.

The City and Visit Big Bear continue to contemplate various strategies to offer the July 4 fireworks in a safe manner, and will include recommendations for viewing the fireworks in future City COVID-19 updates.

The City / Visit Big Bear contract includes a clause allowing the City to postpone and reschedule the fireworks show for any date prior to October 31, and this clause will be exercised if ultimately necessary.

Again, as of now, we are still planning for fireworks on July 4. Stay tuned!

Stay Informed!
Sign up for City of BBL Updates,
Visit Our Other Digital Platforms
The City of Big Bear Lake strives to keep our residents, property owners, investors, businesses, and visitors well-informed about the City's issues and initiatives - including the COVID-19 event - with an emphasis on information specific to Big Bear Lake and the entire Big Bear Valley.
 
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.
 
In addition to the City's email updates, you can also get the latest information from the City of Big Bear Lake via the following digital platforms:
 
  • Visit our website by clicking here

  • "Like" us on Facebook - City of Big Bear Lake
 
  • Follow us on Twitter - @CityofBBL
 
  • Follow us on Instagram - @citybigbearlake
 
  • Sign up for text message alerts by clicking here .
 
Please help us spread the word, and share the City's digital communications platforms with your family, friends, other residents, property owners, frequent visitors, or anyone else who is interested in Big Bear Lake. Thank you!
Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager
City of Big Bear Lake
39707 Big Bear Blvd. PO Box 10000, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone: (909) 866-5831 | Fax: (909) 866-5491