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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4ACITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2022 UNFINISHED BUSINESS SUBJECT: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY ORDERS RELATED TO COVID-19 FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager BY: Emergency Management Coordinator SUMMARY: This staff report provides an update on COVID-19. Staff is seeking direction from City Council regarding current policies and protocols in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. RECOMMENDATION: Direct Staff as appropriate. BACKGROUND: Since March 2020, there have been over 380 million cases of COVID-19 and 5.7 million deaths globally. The State of California alone has had over 8.4 million COVID-19 cases and over 80,000 COVID-related deaths. Riverside County has had over 580,000 cases and 5,800 deaths since March 2020. The City of Palm Springs has had nearly 6,000 positive cases of COVID-19 and 143 COVID deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. City Council convened a Special Meeting on August 4, 2021, to consider directing Staff on new COVID-19 protocols to address a surge in transmission. As a result of that meeting, on August 5, 2021, the City Manager issued a Local Emergency Supplementary Order that implemented, among other things, the following protocols: •All persons, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings indoors when at a public place, with few exceptions. •Proof of vaccination or exemption is required to participate in services where removing face coverings is essential, such as eating and drinking in bars and restaurants, dental services and certain salon services. •For those participating in services where removing face coverings is essential, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the previous 72 hours is required. Item 4A - 1 City Council Staff Report February 10, 2022 – Page 2 Review of Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 •All persons, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face coverings at large outdoor, public events such as Village Fest, Parades and other events as determined by the City Manager. At the October 28, 2021 City Council meeting, Staff presented information on transmission and hospitalization trends. As a result of that presentation, City Council directed Staff to eliminate the requirement to wear face coverings at large outdoor public events such as Village Fest and parades. The other provisions of the August 5th Local Emergency Supplementary Order remain in place. At the December 9, 2021 City Council meeting, Staff presented information on transmission and hospitalization trends and an update on the Omicron variant. As a result of that meeting, City Council directed Staff to maintain all protocols in place. Due to staffing shortages associated with COVID transmission and quarantines, and to further protect City staff and members of the public City Hall was closed to walk-in traffic on December 29th. The partial closure remains at this time with intent to fully open to walk in traffic as soon as transmission numbers show consistent declines. STAFF ANALYSIS: Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Riverside County has been a hot spot within the State for community acquired infection and positive cases. The County has gone through three wave periods of increased infection: •July through August 2020, with an average of 4,264 cases per week. •December 2020 through January 2021, with an average of 26,360 cases per week. •July through August 2021, with an average of 5,292 cases per week. Riverside County is currently seeing an average 10,717 cases per week as we enter February 2022. The City of Palm Springs has mirrored Riverside County throughout the pandemic with infections: •July through August 2020, with an average of 85 cases per week. •December 2020 through January 2021, with an average of 286 cases per week. •July through August 2021, with an average of 82 cases per week. •October through November 2021, with an average of 31 cases per week. •December 2021 through January 2022, with an average of 130 cases per week. Weekly cases started to decrease between January 10th and 24th; however, public health data reported for the week ending January 31st showed a significant increase In fact, data from that week showed the highest rate of new cases since the beginning of the current surge. New data anticipated Feb 7th and will determine whether the increase was an anomaly or an upward trend. Historically, the average time from peak to trough has Item 4A - 2 City Council Staff Report February 10, 2022 – Page 3 Review of Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 been six to eight weeks. Current rates of infection remain higher than anticipated and the Omicron variant and its mutations remain a concern. Over the course of the pandemic, Palm Springs has taken more aggressive actions to protect the community, our businesses, and our visitors. These actions include mask mandates when other cities loosened mask restrictions, limiting large in-person gatherings and meetings, and requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to dine indoors in the City. The City’s actions and proactive measures have mitigated some of the effects of the pandemic. Staff is seeking direction from City Council regarding current protocols and policies in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, and could consider the following actions: • Consider delaying any changes to current protocols and policies until a future City Council meeting. This delay targets the next two to eight weeks, where we are most likely to see decreases in rates of infection and hospitalization based on historical trends. The increase in transmission and hospitalization from the winter Omicron variant wave has started to decline but remain higher than they were leading into summer 2021. The delay would allow us to assess if the unexpected recent increase in rates was an anomaly or change in the trend. The potential for continued risk still exists. • Consider reducing local restrictions to align with California State protocols. This would remove the requirement for proof of vaccination or negative test in restaurants. The approach removes the potential for conflicting and confusing restrictions and protocols as we move forward. Regardless of any changes in local protocols and policies, the California protocols require masks in most settings and other best practices. • Council direct Staff to eliminate restrictions when certain criteria are met, such as three consecutive weeks of reduced transmission or a certain threshold of cases per 100,000. Residents should continue to promote social distancing, proper hygiene, vaccination, and proper use of face coverages to ensure their safety. Staff recommends that large meetings and gatherings continue to be held remotely when possible. FISCAL IMPACT: None. REVIEWED BY: Department Director: Daniel DeSelms Assistant City Manager: Teresa Gallavan City Manager: Justin Clifton Item 4A - 3