Since the beginning of this crisis I have known there would come a point when I would need to write this email to residents. As the global health emergency caused by COVID-19 continues to touch every country, today Long Beach saw our first death caused by the virus.
The City of Long Beach reports that a female resident in her fifties has died of complications of COVID-19. The patient had underlying health conditions.
In compliance with HIPAA regulations, and to protect the privacy and well-being of the family, no further information about the individual will be released by the City. The case is currently under investigation and epidemiologists are working to identify possible exposures.
At this time, there have been 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City of Long Beach. Symptoms of those infected with COVID-19 have ranged from mild, managed at home, to very severe, requiring intensive care.
Residents are to follow Safer at Home guidelines and take steps to reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus, including:
Maintain at least six feet distance apart.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Stay home if you are sick.If you feel you need to seek medical care, call, don't visit your healthcare provider first.
Essential businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants (take-out or delivery), health services, pharmacies, banks and gas stations, and government services remain open. Port operations, airport operations and critical transportation services will remain open, as will construction of residential and commercial buildings. Non-essential businesses, dog parks, playgrounds and enclosed shopping centers are closed. The list of essential businesses is outlined in theemergency order.
The following City sports facilities in parks and beaches are also closed:
Basketball courts
Tennis courts
Volleyball courts
Dog parks
Playgrounds
Skate parks
Picnic areas
Group exercise in parks
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis will provide a public briefing via live stream on the City of Long Beach Facebook and Twitter pages @LongBeachCity. It will also appear on www.youtube.com/CityofLongBeachCA.
For up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, please visit:www.longbeach.gov/covid and follow @CityofLB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
I realize things are changing rapidly and new information and updates are coming out all the time. But, I want to assure you that my office and my team are at your service and will continue to provide any and all assistance we can from both our office at City Hall as well as our Field Office at 340 Nieto Avenue. Please reach out to our office any time as our focus will continue to be providing effective information and responsive assistance for any request.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact my office at (562)570-6300 or by email at [email protected].
