REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
LEONARD X. HERNANDEZ, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Report on Novel Coronavirus
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Receive report providing information and updates on Novel Coronavirus, including the County’s Readiness and Recovery Plan.
2. Provide direction as needed on topics resulting from report.
(Presenter: Leonard X. Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer, 387-5417)
Bod y
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and began spreading, initially, within China and then to other countries. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a “public health emergency of international concern”. This was followed on January 31, 2020 by the United States Human Services Secretary declaring a public health emergency.
On March 4, 2020, the State of California declared a state of emergency as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak due to the rising number of confirmed cases and anticipated complications for those infected, including potential deaths. On March 10, 2020, the County Public Health Officer declared a local health emergency to help ensure county government and the public were prepared for the possibility that COVID-19 will appear within the county. On March 10, 2020 (Item No. 75), the Board of Supervisors (Board) proclaimed the existence of a local emergency within San Bernardino County (County) resulting from COVID-19, which causes infectious disease resulting in symptoms of fever, coughing and shortness of breath with outcomes ranging from mild to severe illness and in some cases, death.
Over the last several months, the County has made significant progress toward minimizing the impacts and spread of COVID-19. Testing and vaccination efforts have resulted in a decrease of hospitalizations and new cases. The County has made it a priority to focus on vaccinating individuals living in hardest-hit communities that represent the lowest quartile zip codes, in addition to senior and homeless communities, by collaborating with community partners to host vaccination pop-up sites and mobile clinics throughout the county. As progress is made, the County remains vigilant. This report will include information on COVID-19, including updates on the virus and actions taken by County departments in response to COVID-19. Recommendation No. 2 will allow the Board to provide direction to staff as needed.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Michelle Blakemore, County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 17, 2021; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on May 17, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on May 17, 2021.