Update #113
COVID-19 Emergency
October 27, 2020 - 6:30 pm
New City COVID-19 Updates Now Issued Once Per Week

Increase in COVID-19 Cases in Big Bear Valley Over The Past Week, Currently 15 Active Cases

Slight Increases in County Hospitalizations

Results from October 20 Big Bear Testing Event

San Bernardino County Remains in Purple Tier

City Continues to Pursue Designation of Sub-Regions in San Bernardino County

Help Big Bear Avoid the Predicted Next Wave -
Maintain Physical Distance, Wash Your Hands, and Wear a Mask!

Be Safe on Halloween!
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL COVID-19 GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE
The City of Big Bear Lake continues to work 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 in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to the COVID-19 event.

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!
NEW CITY COVID-19 UPDATES NOW ISSUED ONCE PER WEEK
Unless there are significant new developments to report, the City will now issue COVID-19 updates once per week in the future. New City COVID-19 updates will now be issued every Tuesday, and also as otherwise warranted.
INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES IN BIG BEAR VALLEY OVER THE PAST WEEK, CURRENTLY 15 ACTIVE CASES
According to the latest data from San Bernardino County, there have now been a cumulative total of 156 confirmed COVID-19 cases since mid-March. Of this total, there have been 69 cases in the City of Big Bear Lake, 66 cases in Big Bear City, 18 cases in Sugarloaf, and 3 cases in Fawnskin.

The City receives Big Bear Valley-specific information from San Bernardino County contact tracers. According to the latest report, 141 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and there are currently 15 active cases in the Big Bear Valley. Thankfully, there have been no deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

There have been 19 new cases reported for the Big Bear Valley over the past week, and 25 new cases over the past 2 weeks. This recent increase is concerning, and the City continues to closely monitor new cases and active cases.
SLIGHT INCREASE IN COUNTY HOSPITALIZATIONS
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 data in the entire County.

According to the latest data, there are currently 259 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County. This number has increased slightly over the past week, with 28 more hospitalizations this week compared to last.

According to the latest data, there are now a total of 56 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, and this number continues to be relatively constant over the past several weeks. There are now a total of 125 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County.

Thankfully, the County's health care system has maintained sufficient capacity throughout the COVID-19 emergency.
RESULTS FROM OCTOBER 20 BIG BEAR TESTING EVENT
The City and County again partnered to offer a Big Bear Valley testing event at City Hall on October 20. A total of 206 COVID-19 tests were administered, and 7 individuals, or 3.4%, tested positive. These positive test results are reflected in the case data presented above.

San Bernardino County continues to offer free COVID-19 testing at numerous locations off the mountain, and a complete list of testing sites and dates is available here. The City and the County encourage EVERYONE to get tested, regardless of whether or not you have symptoms, and to get tested REPEATEDLY. Frequent testing enables infected individuals without symptoms to avoid others sooner, helping to keep everyone safe. More testing by everyone in San Bernardino County will also help the County meet the reopening criteria outlined by the State, and will help us move to the "Red Tier" sooner and allow more indoor business activities.

The City and Bear Mountain Family Medicine Urgent Care continue to wait for the delivery of COVID-19 test kits, working in partnership to provide daily testing and nearly immediate results. This testing will begin as soon as the test kits are received, and additional information will be included in future City COVID-19 updates.

The City and County expect to continue to partner on future Big Bear testing events, and are tentatively targeting Tuesday, November 17 for the next testing event. Additional details will be announced as this date approaches.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY REMAINS IN PURPLE TIER
New tier designations were released today, and, unfortunately, San Bernardino County remains in the "Purple Tier". San Bernardino County is one of only 9 (out of 58) counties in California in the most restrictive tier in the State's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy".

San Bernardino County currently meets the State's criteria to move to the "Red Tier" for positive test rates and is somewhat close to meeting health equity criteria, however, the 7-day adjusted new case rate continues to exceed the threshold to move to the "Red Tier". In order to move to the "Red Tier", the County's 7-day adjusted new case rate must decrease to less than 7.0 new cases per 100,000 residents. Unfortunately, the most recently adjusted new case rate is 11.9, and it does not appear that the County will qualify for progression to the "Red Tier" anytime soon.
CITY CONTINUES TO PURSUE DESIGNATION OF SUB-REGIONS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
The City continues to work with San Bernardino County officials, other cities in our county, and Assemblyman Jay Obernolte to secure the desigantion of sub-regions in San Bernardino County (the largest county in the United States, and the size of 20 or more California counties combined). Unfortunately, we have not been successful thus far, however, our efforts continue in earnest.

Up until the last few days, the Big Bear Valley would have likely qualified for the "Orange Tier", the second least restrictive tier under the State's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy", as our adjusted new case rate was below the 3.9 threshold required for progression to the "Orange Tier". With the increase in new cases over the past week, the Big Bear Valley's adjusted new case rate for the past week exceeded 12. We are hopeful that there will be far fewer new cases over the next week, and that the Big Bear Valley's adjusted new case rate will return to levels experienced throughout most of September and October.
HELP BIG BEAR AVOID THE PREDICTED NEXT WAVE -
MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS, AND WEAR A MASK!
As we experience a recent spike in cases in the Big Bear Valley, we need EVERYONE to double-down on the common-sense strategies to keep our community safe and keep our businesses open (and expand reopenings):

  • maintain physical distance whenever possible, and limit interactions with other groups and individuals to the maximum extent practical,

  • wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer whenever possible, and

  • wear a mask whenever you enter a business, or if you are in close proximity to others in an outdoor setting.

These common-sense strategies are the most effective strategies in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and can help keep our residents safe and our businesses open if we all continue to be diligent.

These three strategies don't require much effort, and it's the least we can all do to help us get through this!
BE SAFE ON HALLOWEEN!
Trick-or-treating will be permitted in Big Bear Lake neighborhoods on Saturday, October 31, and everyone is encouraged to do so safely.

County health guidelines include specific recommendations for for parents planning to give out candy, or have their children go trick-or-treating, including the following:

  • no home prepared treats; all candy should be individually packaged,

  • consider creative ways to safely dispense candy, such as setting up a table with individual items available for children to take,

  • move distribution away from a crowded porch or entryway,

  • allow families to approach a home individually without crowding,

  • do not approach a home that has its porch light turned off, and

  • remember that a Halloween mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask, and may not provide enough protection.

Most importantly, if you and/or your children are not feeling well, please stay home and do not venture out. Please also stay home if you are concerned about the risk associated with trick-or-treating, and participate in other family Halloween activities at home.
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