LVMC Community Update, October 2, 2020

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

What happened on this date in history? 1950 – Charles Schulz’s comic strip, “Peanuts” was printed for the first time in nine newspapers around the United States. 1967 - Thurgood Marshall took the oath of office to become the first African-American member of the United States Supreme Court. 2016 – Veteran broadcaster Vin Scully calls his final Los Angeles Dodgers game after a record 67 Major League Baseball seasons.

COVID-19 Information

We’re in the Red

• I am sure everyone knows that, as announced on Tuesday, September 28, Santa Barbara County has advanced to the Red Tier. Before advancing to the next tier (orange), the County must remain in the Red Tier for three weeks and meet the criteria for the Orange Tier for two consecutive weeks. So, the soonest the County could advance to the Orange Tier is Tuesday, October 20. For the last week, the County was in the Purple Tier, it had already met the Orange Tier criteria for Covid Positivity Rate, and was on the bubble between red and orange for Covid Cases Per 100,000 Population. Although nobody knows what will happen during these next three weeks, it looks promising that Santa Barbara County could advance to the Orange Tier on October 20.
• Shown below in red is the current status of the various sectors for Santa Barbara County (red type, Red Tier…get it). Shown in orange type are the changes that would occur if and when Santa Barbara County advances to the Orange Tier (again, hopefully on October 20).
  • Nail Salons, Hair Salons & Barbershops: Currently open with modifications.
  • Outdoor Playgrounds and Recreational Facilities: Currently open with modifications.
  • Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums: Currently open outdoors with modifications, and indoors at 25% capacity. 50% capacity.
  • All Retail: Currently open indoors with modifications, at 50% capacity. 100% capacity.
  • Places of Worship: Currently open indoors with the lesser of 25% capacity or 100 people. 50% capacity or 200 people.
  • Movie Theaters: Currently open indoors with the lesser of 25% capacity or 100 people. 50% capacity or 200 people.
  • Hotels and Lodging: Currently open with modifications, plus fitness centers at 10% capacity. 25% fitness center capacity, plus indoor swimming pools.
  • Gyms and Fitness Centers. Currently open indoors with modifications at 10% capacity. 25% capacity, plus indoor swimming pools.
  • Restaurants: Currently open indoors with the lesser of 25% capacity or 100 people. 50% capacity or 200 people.
  • Wineries: Currently outdoor only with modifications. Indoors at 25% capacity or 50 people.
  • Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries Where No Meals Provided: Currently closed. Outdoor only with modifications.
  • Family Entertainment Centers: Currently outdoor only with modifications. Open indoors at 25% capacity for naturally distanced activities, such as bowling alleys and climbing walls.
  • Cardrooms, Satellite Wagering: Currently outdoor only with modifications. Open indoors with modifications at 25% capacity.
  • Professional Sports: Currently open without live audiences and with modifications.

Covid Positive Hospitalized Patients

I sound like a broken record (which is a good thing). Once again, the number of Covid positive patients hospitalized at Santa Barbara County hospitals decreased this week. As of today, there are 17 hospitalized patients, down from 20 last week. Of the 17 patients, 5 are receiving ICU care. Of the 17 patients, 0 are at LVMC.

More Changes to the LVMC Visitation Policy

Last week I mentioned that Emergency Room patients may now be accompanied by a visitor. In addition, upon further guidance from the Public Health Department, the number of permitted visitors for inpatients at LVMC has been increased to two per day. The complete LVMC Visitation Policy can be found on the LVMC website.

Flu Shots

It’s flu shot time! Healthcare providers are waiting to see what type of compounding effect the flu season will have on the Covid situation. It goes without saying that the more people who get flu shots, the better. A flu shot can be obtained by visiting your Lompoc Health Provider. Also, most area pharmacies are offering flu shots. In addition, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is providing free drive through flu shots at Lompoc High School, on October 6 & 7, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. No appointment is needed.

Thank you, Lompoc Valley Community, for your tremendous support of LVMC and our healthcare workers; it means a lot to all of us!

As always, please feel free to contact me at popkins@lompocvmc.com or (805) 737-3301. Until next time, be well and stay safe!

Steve Popkin

Chief Executive Officer