Oct. 28, 2021
This week I am sharing the latest COVID-19 updates and what they mean for Carlsbad, as well as …
 
Improving emergency response times
New police policy a result of community collaboration
Library helps community members get high school degrees
Upcoming events and activities
Public meetings and how to get involved
COVID-19 update
On Tuesday, an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of granting emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to be given to children ages 5 to 11. Two more steps are needed, approval from the FDA and guidance from the CDC, both of which are expected in the coming days. Here is what the American Academy of Pediatrics wrote about the approval.
 
The federal government has already announced its plan to distribute the vaccine, primarily through pediatrician offices, rather than the centralized vaccination sites used when vaccines first became available for adults.
 
California will add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of other vaccines required for school-aged kids once the vaccine gets full approval. The Pfizer vaccine is currently fully approved for those 16 and up. It has emergency use authorization for 12 to 15 year olds, and the pending approval for 5 to 11 year olds would also be an emergency use authorization. Like other vaccines, there will be ways for parents to opt out, but those details have not yet been announced by the state.
 
Status of boosters for adults
The County of San Diego is recommending booster shots for everyone who qualifies. Nothing has changed since my last update. Below are the criteria:

Pfizer and Moderna
For those who were vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, the CDC indicates the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
 
Johnson & Johnson
Boosters are recommended for people 18 and older who were vaccinated at least two months ago.
The county recommends people stick with the vaccine they originally received, although it is OK to choose a different vaccine if necessary.

You can get a booster shot through your medical provider, a retail pharmacy or a site operated by the county. More booster eligibility details and locations can be found at coronavirus-sd.com and on the state’s COVID-19 website.
 
Active cases in Carlsbad
Active cases in Carlsbad are about the same as last week (197), although they are still about four times as high as six months (53) ago and a year ago (46). Please keep up all the public health measures we’ve been practicing to lower our case numbers as we head into the holiday season.
In terms of new cases overall, Carlsbad is around in the low-to-middle range when compared to other cities in the region.
Other updates from the county’s weekly COVID-19 watch include:

  • Total vaccination rate countywide is now 81.5% among those eligible (currently those 12 and up). Just over 90% are partially vaccinated.
  • 29 new deaths were reported since the last report on Oct. 20, 2021. The region’s total is now 4,207. (The timing of when deaths are reported varies, making this figure a little harder to interpret than other measures. For example, the latest report includes a death that occurred as long ago as February. This delay in reporting can be for a variety of reasons.)
  • New cases per 100,000 in population are at 12.5, but testing positivity is only 2.5%. With more organizations requiring routine testing for those who are not vaccinated or to return to work after having close contact with a COVID-19 case, more testing is being done overall.
  • New hospitalizations are at 9.9% for the latest reporting period, just under the 10% trigger established by the county.
  • ICU capacity is at 26%. The county’s trigger is 20%.
So, what’s the bottom line? Needless to say, it’s complicated. An article in The San Diego Union-Tribune this morning points out that our testing positivity numbers today are about the same as they were this time last year, just prior to the holiday surge. That was before vaccines were available, and stay at home orders were largely still in effect. New cases are higher, but this could be due to more testing.
 
This is about the time when I offer the same advice I have been sharing all along: Please follow all the recommended health precautions so that we are doing everything we can to limit COVID-19 spread. 

  • Get vaccinated based on the latest public health recommendations for your age group and other risk factors
  • Reduce the risk of spread indoors by wearing a mask if you can’t maintain distance
  • Avoid crowds
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
  • Stay home if you have any COVID-19 symptoms

Please keep these recommendations in mind as you finalize your Halloween plans. For example, outdoor events are better than indoor ones. And make sure the little ones (and big ones) wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before enjoying their candy.
 
Here are some general Halloween safety recommendations from the Carlsbad Police Department.

Flu shots urged before holidays
County health officials are urging everyone to get their flu shot before the holiday season. It takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop protection against the virus, so now is the time to get the shot to make sure you’re fully protected. The county is closely monitoring flu activity and publishes a weekly Influenza Watch report. As of this week, a total of 229 cases have been lab-confirmed, compared to 10 at this time last year and an average of 163 at this time for the past five years. You can call 2-1-1 San Diego or visit the county’s flu vaccination locations page to find a location near you to get your shot.
City Council goal update: Improving emergency response times
Earlier this year the City Council made it a top goal to ensure our fire and emergency medical services were ready to meet the community’s changing needs as the city’s demographics and population changes.
 
I am happy to report that just four months into our new fiscal year, we have made significant progress:
 
  • Ordered two new ambulances that will be operational by January 2022. That will bring the total number of city ambulances to five, up from three that are in service now.
  • Hired nine new paramedic firefighters, three new full-time emergency medical technicians, and additional part-time EMTs.
  • The EMTs started their two-week academy training on Oct. 17, which will be followed by training in the field, or what the Fire Department calls “ride outs.”
  • The firefighters began their two-week academy training on Wednesday (Oct. 27) and will begin their ride outs immediately after.
  • Converted an office in Fire Station 6 to a bedroom to accommodate the increase in personnel. That project was completed in September 2021.
  • Started the process of identifying a site for a temporary Fire Station 7 in the area of Cannon Road, west of the I-5. Building out and staffing the temporary station is tied to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget and is set to be completed in early 2023.
  • The reconstruction of Fire Station 2 in La Costa is well underway and on track for completion next year with a larger, more efficient building that can better accommodate crews and equipment.
 
These additional investments were identified through something called a “Standards of Cover” evaluation, which looks at current and future emergency response needs based on Carlsbad’s size, demographics and other factors. The evaluation found that to meet industry standards, the Fire Department needed one additional fire station (we currently have six), ideally west of I-5, as well as more ambulances and personnel. 
 
Partnership leads to new police policy
Speaking of public safety, today our Police Department announced it has worked with the Carlsbad Equality Coalition, the North County Equity and Justice Coalition and the North San Diego NAACP to create and implement a new de-escalation policy. The policy reinforces our commitment to give the city’s Police Department the training, equipment, and resources they need to encourage peaceful resolutions to conflicts and other situations they may encounter. You may recall we held a series of town hall meetings last year and heard input from the community on a variety of issues related to law enforcement.
 
The leading concept behind the policy is that reverence for human life guides law enforcement in all its investigative, enforcement and other interactions with the community. The policy is consistent with a countywide de-escalation philosophy adopted in June 2020.
 
We like to say that public safety takes teamwork, and I would like to personally thank our Police Department and the community members who worked collaboratively with us to create this policy.
 
You can learn more about Carlsbad’s policy along with the important work that went into creating it.
Library helps community members get high school degrees
This week we’re celebrating the 2021 graduating class of our Career Online High School, offered through Carlsbad City Library. This is an incredible program that gives adults an opportunity to earn their high school diploma, along with a career certificate in one of nine different fields.
 
You can see highlights of the ceremony in the video below (and you might need to have a box of tissue handy). It’s truly inspirational, and we are so proud of these community members!
Students accepted into the program get paired with an online academic coach, who provides guidance, evaluation and support. Nine students – many of whom were juggling work, family and other responsibilities – completed the program and graduated this year, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations and well done! 
Dia de los Muertos
You have a few more days to check out the beautiful Dia de los Muertos decorations at the city’s Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Through Nov. 2, the hacienda will be adorned in traditional decorations and colorful ceramic art that includes an ofrenda (offering table) to the Carrillo family. The displays highlight the life of Leo Carrillo and his family while celebrating our local cultural heritage.

Free guided tours are available on weekends at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet at the welcome kiosk in the parking lot.
Festival of Lanterns at Alga Norte Aquatic Center
Coming up on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. we’ll have our second annual Festival of Lanterns at the Alga Norte Aquatics Center. Last year, this was a virtual way for us all to come together to reflect and dedicate tributes to the most important people in our lives.
 
This year, the event will be in person, with hundreds of lanterns decorated with inspirational messages floating in the center’s recreation pool. There will also be special performances by community members, including music and readings. Lanterns can be purchased ahead of time or at the event for $5 per lantern (no limit per person). Admission is free. 
 
P.S. This event was recognized by the National Recreation and Parks Society as the most creative event in San Diego County last year.
 
Get involved: Upcoming meetings
The City Council’s next meeting is Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. Meetings are still virtual, and information about how to watch and participate is included on the agenda. Here are some of the topics scheduled to be discussed.
  • An update on city investments, and revisions to the city’s investment policy 
  • Accepting a $108,000 grant for DUI enforcement and an $18,285 grant for police equipment  
  • Amending the city’s municipal code to comply with the state law requiring reductions in the amount of organic waste going to landfills
  • Adding stop signs on Cerezo Drive at Los Robles Drive in Terramar 
  • Aligning the city’s ordinance on shared mobility devices, such as e-scooters, with state law
  • A zoning change needed for a hotel development project in the City of Oceanside, south of State Route 78 
  • Approving $33 million in state bonds for a 93-unit affordable apartment project on Harding Street 
  • An economic and financial update for the first quarter of the current fiscal year
  • An update on the cost to deliver water, wastewater and recycled water services and setting a public hearing for Jan. 11, 2022, to adjust rates
 
These additional city meetings are also happening next week:
  • Nov. 1, 3 p.m. – Traffic and Mobility Commission
  • Nov. 3, 3 p.m. – Planning Commission
  • Nov. 4, 6 p.m. – Arts Commission
 
You can see agendas and more details about our Boards & Commission meetings on the city’s website. These are all livestreamed on the city’s website.
 
That’s it for this week. Have a fun and festive weekend, stay safe and please continue to #Care4Carlsbad.
City of Carlsbad | Website