Update #115
COVID-19 Event
November 10, 2020 - 5:30 pm
Sadly, First Death Attributed to COVID-19 in Big Bear Valley

Currently 39 Active COVID-19 Cases in Big Bear Valley

County Hospitalizations Increase Slightly Over Last Week

PLEASE Do Your Part to Minimize the Spread!

Two City Employees Test Positive for COVID-19

City's Request for Indoor Dining Change Denied By State

Next City Testing Event Set for Next Tuesday at City Hall

Christmas in The Village Cancelled
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 weekly on Tuesdays, and also as otherwise warranted 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!
SADLY, FIRST DEATH ATTRIBUTED TO COVID-19 IN BIG BEAR VALLEY
The City learned last week that the Big Bear Valley has experienced its first death attributed to COVID-19, a female from the Sugarloaf community.

All of us at the City extend our deepest condolences to the deceased's family and friends. This is a tragic incident, and is a stark reminder of the wide disparity in outcomes from contracting COVID-19, ranging from no symptoms at all to death.

EVERYONE is encouraged to take COVID-19 seriously, and simply do the right things to keep yourself, your family, and others around you safe.
CURRENTLY 39 ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES IN THE BIG BEAR VALLEY
According to the latest data from San Bernardino County, there have now been a cumulative total of 223 confirmed COVID-19 cases since mid-March. Of this total, there have been 95 cases in the City of Big Bear Lake, 98 cases in Big Bear City, 27 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, 184 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and there are currently 39 active cases in the Big Bear Valley. Sadly, there has now been 1 death attributed to COVID-19 in the Big Bear Valley.

There have been 38 new cases reported for the Big Bear Valley over the past week, and 67 new cases over the past 2 weeks. These recent increases are the largest in the Big Bear Valley since the COVID-19 event began in March, and highlight the need for our residents and visitors to be especially diligent as we seek to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

With an estimated population of 22,000 people in the Big Bear Valley, and 39 currently active cases, approximately 1 in every 564 residents in our community are currently infected.
COUNTY HOSPITALIZATIONS INCREASE SLIGHTLY OVER PAST WEEK
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 331 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Bernardino County. This number has increased by 11.4% over the past week, with 34 more hospitalizations this week compared to last. The number of hospitalizations still remains well below the peak number of 738 in late July.

According to the latest data, there are now a total of 84 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, and this number has increased by 15 patients over the past week. There are now a total of 93 intensive care beds still available in San Bernardino County.

Thankfully, the County's health care system has maintained sufficient capacity throughout the COVID-19 event.
PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD!
It is now more important than ever for our residents, visitors, and businesses to do everything possible to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community!

Please do your part:

  • if you are feeling sick, stay at home, isolate yourself from everyone, and get tested as soon as possible,

  • if you are especially vulnerable or fearful of becoming sick, please take appropriate precautions for your circumstances, including staying at home,

  • WEAR A FACE COVERING whenever you are indoors at a local business or institution, and also if you are in close proximity to others in an outdoor setting,

  • maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others whenever possible, and

  • practice good personal hygiene - wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer!

The City needs EVERYONE to simply do the right things!
TWO CITY EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The City learned late Sunday night that a City employee in the Public Services Department tested positive for COVID-19, and tested all employees assigned to the City's Public Works facility on Monday. One additional employee tested positive on Monday, with the remaining 24 employees testing negative. As a precaution, all employees assigned to the Public Works facility have been quarantined as a precaution. The City wishes both employees a smooth and speedy recovery.

Nearly all Public Works employees were engaged in snow removal efforts over this past weekend and were relatively isolated from each other, and the City is hopeful that no additional employees will come down with COVID-19. As a precaution, all other City employees assigned to City Hall were tested today, and results are expected tomorrow. Wednesday is a City holiday in observance of Veterans Day, and City Hall is closed.
CITY'S REQUEST FOR INDOOR DINING CHANGE DENIED BY STATE
San Bernardino County remains in the "Purple Tier", the most restrictive tier in the State's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy", and is expected to remain in the "Purple Tier" for the next several weeks.

The City is especially concerned for our restaurants that continue to be limited to outdoor dining, take-out, and delivery options. With winter now upon us, it will be increasingly difficult for our restaurants to survive without an adjustment by the State to allow some limited indoor dining. The City recently submitted a new request to the State to essentially shift the restrictions for restaurants by at least one tier, effectively to shift the current "Red Tier" guidelines for restaurants to the "Purple Tier" - and therefore allow indoor dining at 25% capacity with other precautions. Unfortunately, the State has denied this request, and unfortunately there is no relief in sight for our restaurants.

Despite the recent increase in cases in the Big Bear Valley, the City continues to assert that all businesses should be permitted to operate in some reasonable capacity - as long as they take appropriate precautions, including requiring patrons and employees to wear face coverings, promote physical distancing, and promote good personal hygiene.
NEXT CITY TESTING EVENT SET FOR NEXT TUESDAY AT CITY HALL
The City and County continue to partner to offer Big Bear testing events, and the next testing event is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 17 at City Hall. The appointment portal is expected to be open later this week, and can be accessed by clicking here. The City and the County will also partner on another testing event on Tuesday, December 15.

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.

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.
CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE CANCELLED
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the Big Bear Valley, the City Council reluctantly voted last night to cancel the annual Christmas in The Village event that would have occurred on Friday, November 27. City staff continue to install Christmas decorations and lighting in The Village, and we will activate these decorations and lighting in the next couple of weeks.
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
 
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  • 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