TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report on recent updates to State and local COVID-19 Health Orders, including, but not limited to, masking and vaccine requirements and considerations for possible additional local vaccine mandates. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Throughout the pandemic, the City’s Health Officer has exercised her duties under the law to protect public health through Health Orders designed to respond to the pandemic locally and take emergency actions necessary to protect our community. In early August, the State Health Officer mandated vaccinations for workers at certain health care facilities and vaccine or testing requirements for workers in K-12 schools. Additionally, with the City Manager’s announcement on July 27, 2021, Long Beach was a leader in requiring vaccinations or weekly testing for City staff.
On August 18, 2021, the Health Officer released a local health order with requirements in alignment with the State Health Order. The City’s recent Health Order requires vaccinations or a negative test prior to entrance for indoor large-scale events where more than 1,000 people are in attendance as well as mandatory masking for outdoor large-scale events where more than 10,000 people are present. In accordance with the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, the City’s Health Order also requires vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear face masks at indoor public settings.
With the rise of the Delta Variant, it is evident that a fourth wave of the pandemic is sweeping the nation and additional steps must be taken. More than 74 percent of those age 16 and older have received at least one vaccine and nearly 66 percent are fully vaccinated in Long Beach. This shows broad community support for vaccinations. Yet, unvaccinated individuals continue to contract COVID-19 at alarming rates in the City of Long Beach, with a case rate of 71 out of 100,000 for unvaccinated individuals compared to 2.2 out of 100,000 for fully vaccinated individuals in the past week. In the past two months, hospitalizations have continued to rise from four Long Beach residents to 52, and from 12 to 143 hospitalizations in our local area hospitals - more than a ten-fold increase. Approximately 86 percent of those hospitalized in the past month were unvaccinated.
Taking similar numbers into consideration, some jurisdictions including New York City, San Francisco, the City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors have either passed or are considering different levels of vaccine mandates for higher risk settings where masks are removed due to eating and drinking such as restaurants, bars, and movie theaters. Others have expanded this requirement to fitness centers, certain retail establishments, and other indoor recreational facilities. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has requested a report regarding vaccine mandates to return to the Board later this month. The City’s Health Department is tracking closely on these decisions to determine whether similar requirements would be beneficial to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within the City, while also taking an equity and trauma informed approach to local decision making.
This item will provide updates on:
• Health orders impacting medical settings, schools, and mega events;
• Vaccine mandates for non-medical settings in other states and cities; and,
• Considerations being taken when deciding on vaccine mandates.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on August 17, 2021 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 18, 2021.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY
City Council action is requested on August 24, 2021, to ensure the continued health and safety of residents against COVID-19.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER