The city has had a busy week leading into the long Labor Day weekend, with lots to share, including:
COVID-19 update
Congrats to our Citizen of the Year
2021 State of the City
Your input needed on potential sites for new housing required by the state
New city trails app
New art exhibit
Labor Day city services schedule
|
|
COVID-19 update
As the county announced a week over week doubling of COVID-19 related deaths, from 25 to 49, there are also signs that the current surge could be waning. However, as we have learned, predicting anything related to COVID-19 is not something that should left to a layperson like me.
Here is what we know:
- New COVID-19 cases reported daily in the county continue to hover around 1,000.
- The overall “case rate,” which means cases per 100,000 in population, is a little better than last week at 35.6 (37 last week).
- Most of the new cases are among those not fully vaccinated (case rate of 68) compared to those who are (15.2).
- The 7-day testing positivity rate is down just a little this week, 8.3% compared to 8.8% last week.
- Hospital capacity is the same as last week’s report at 78%. The county’s trigger to be concerned is when hospitals are at 80% capacity.
- New hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are less than 1% this week compared to 9% last week.
- ICU capacity is at 22%, better than last week’s 20%, which was on the cusp of the “less than 20%” county trigger.
- Community outbreaks are up a lot, from 41 to 66 countywide.
Carlsbad cases
The number of active cases in Carlsbad is down for the second week in a row, and overall county case rates are also lower this week.
|
|
Two-month pattern?
The New York Times had an article yesterday about previous COVID-19 surges lasting about two months. Basically, data show that surges in different locations tend to peak at about the two-month mark, and the Delta variant could be showing a similar pattern, although it’s a little too soon to know for sure.
There are different theories about why two months seems to be the timeframe, one having to do with virus behavior and the other having to do with human behavior. But, as one epidemiologist quoted in the article says, we are still in the “cave age” when it comes to understanding viruses.
So, we wait and watch. Please continue to do everything you can to slow the spread, including these public health recommendations:
- Avoid large crowds
- If you’re getting together with other people, outside is better than inside
- Stay home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
- Wear a mask when indoors with people outside your household
- Become fully vaccinated if you aren’t already
Vaccination rate update
As of this week, 80% of eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, putting our state in the top 10 nationwide.
- San Diego County is doing better than the state average at 86% of those eligible receiving at least one dose.
- 75% of San Diego County residents are fully vaccinated.
- Looking at Carlsbad’s ZIP codes, three have higher vaccination rates than the county average (of at least one shot) and one is lower than the county average. (The ZIP code information is presented a little differently – people per 100,000 in population).
|
|
Long COVID-19
An article in The Lancet just came out reporting a study of breakthrough cases of COVID-19 (people fully vaccinated who contract COVID-19). Among the findings, the study showed that people who are fully vaccinated and get COVID-19 have a 49% percent lower chance of developing so-called “long COVID,” referring to people who continue to experience symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog and heart palpitations, for months. The study looked at the Pfizer, Moderna and Astra-Zenica vaccines, not the Johnson & Johnson one.
Cloth masks not accepted in some places
Several airlines operating out of Europe have started to require surgical masks instead of cloth masks for passengers, due to the fact that cloth masks can vary so much in effectiveness. Some European countries have already specified that surgical masks must be worn where masks are required.
According to the CDC, here is what you should look for in a mask:
- Choose a mask with a nose wire.
- Use a mask fitter or brace over a disposable mask or a cloth mask to prevent air from leaking around the edges of the mask.
- Check that it fits snugly over your nose, mouth and chin.
- If the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air come through the front of the mask and may be able to see the mask material move in and out with each breath.
- Use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric. OR, wear a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask.
-
Knot the ear loops of a 3-ply face mask where they join the edge of the mask so it’s tighter (here’s a video demonstration).
|
|
Congratulations to Jimmy Ukegawa, our Citizen of the Year
This week, Jimmy Ukegawa, a lifelong Carlsbad resident was named Carlsbad’s Citizen of the Year. The annual award recognizes community members who have dedicated themselves to improving Carlsbad through outstanding service. Jimmy, the owner of the Carlsbad Strawberry Co. and Aviara Farms, has devoted countless hours to helping community members eat healthier while having fun.
Congratulations to Jimmy on this well-deserved honor! You can read more about his impact on the Carlsbad community here.
|
|
2021 State of the City video
I hope you’ll take a few minutes (well, 14 minutes) to watch our 2021 State of the City video, highlighting some of Carlsbad’s major projects and initiatives from the past year, as well what’s planned for the year ahead. The video gives a great overview of Carlsbad’s goals and recent accomplishments. There are two ways to see it:
-
See and share the video on the city’s official YouTube channel.
- Watch the video at the top of every hour (except during City Council meetings or replays of meetings) on our cable channel, Charter Spectrum channel 24 and AT&T U-verse channel 99.
|
|
Give input on locations for future housing
One of the issues discussed in the State of the City video is the need for more affordable housing.
- The city is seeking your input on where new housing units could be built in Carlsbad to satisfy a state requirement that cities accommodate their fair share of the region’s housing needs, including homes for people of all income levels and stages of life.
- Eighteen proposed locations were chosen based on public input gathered last year, input from a citizens advisory committee and direction from the City Council.
Community members have two main ways to provide feedback:
Survey
Virtual public workshops (held via Zoom)
|
|
New app for city trails
I’m super excited about a new trails resource we launched this week – it’s called “Go Hike Carlsbad” and can be accessed on the city’s website or found as part of our Carlsbad Connects app in your app store. It includes useful information about the city’s 67 miles of trails, including:
- Points of interest for each trail
- Trail length
- Surface type
- Degree of difficulty
- Trail connectivity
- Parking locations
If you need a little more inspiration to check out city trails this weekend, read the latest Happy Trails newsletter.
|
|
Frida Kahlo exhibit now open at Cannon Art Gallery
There is already a lot of buzz about the latest exhibit to open at the City of Carlsbad’s William D. Cannon Art Gallery. We were honored to be chosen as a location to host Frida Kahlo’s Garden, a traveling exhibition exploring the life of one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. The exhibition includes iconic photographs of the artist, her home and garden, as well as authentic memorabilia on loan by a private collector in Carlsbad.
Now through Oct. 20
1775 Dove Lane
Tuesday-Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
|
|
Get involved: Upcoming meetings
This week we held a swearing in ceremony for our new District 1 City Council Member, Peder Norby, who immediately joined our virtual dais to participate in his first City Council meeting. With that, we now have a full five-member City Council once again. You can read about our newest City Council member on the city’s website. The next City Council meeting is Sept. 14.
Next week we have two public meetings:
All city meetings are still virtual at this time. Find more information on agendas, how to participate and how to watch the meetings here.
Speaking of redistricting, you have one more chance to participate in our informational webinars. Sign up at the link below. Although City Council District 4 residents are encouraged to attend tonight’s meeting, residents from any district are welcome.
The meeting is from 6 to 7 p.m.
If you’d rather just watch the meeting and not register, it will be livestreamed on the city's website and cable channel. And, we have recordings of previous webinars on our website.
|
|
What's open, what's closed on Labor Day
In observance of Labor Day, city offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6. A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below.
- Trash pickup: Delayed one day
- City offices: Closed
- Emergency services: Regular service
- Pools: Open 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Libraries: Closed, no curbside service
- Community centers: Closed
- Senior Center: Open 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., no takeout or delivery lunch service
- Leo Carrillo Ranch: Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
|
|
Have a great weekend, and thank you for continuing to #Care4Carlsbad.
|
|
Fun things to do
Quick Links
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
