582 coronavirus cases in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia has 18 documented cases now. There could be more cases in the SGV as the availability of COVID-19 tests is limited
Arcadia Advises Residents to Wear Face Coverings in Public. Per additional guidance from local, state, and federal public health officials, the City of Arcadia is encouraging all residents to wear face coverings when outside the home conducting essential activities, like going to the grocery store or caring for family members, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation does not substitute existing guidance about social distancing and handwashing.
Arcadia Announces Limited Reopening of City Facilities by Appointment. The City of Arcadia is reopening City Hall to the public for services by appointment only for essential activities in response to the revised Safer at Home Order issued by Los Angeles County on May 13, 2020. These include building permits, inspections, and planning related services. Tennis courts are now open for modified use. All players must abide by posted rules and those who ignore the guidelines will not be allowed to play.
Arcadia neurologist Vincent Fortanasce has written a book called "The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription," which focuses on preventing or delaying the disease. 101-year-old Marshall Welles of Duarte was the inspiration for Fortanasce's book.
Arcadia residents Lucia Jimenez and her father Byron are shown in a photo. Lucia is in remission from a disease called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or RSD. Dana Gambill is raising awareness of RSD and runs a support group for disease sufferers in Pasadena.
Arcadia to suspend large events for seniors due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) concerns. Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Arcadia is suspending all large scale public events (100 or more in attendance) featuring a high concentration of older adults (55 and over) in order to help slow the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is in response to guidance received from the California Department of Public Health. The suspension will initially be in effect through April 15, 2020, but may need to be extended further.
Arcadia Transit Dial-a-Ride temporary modifications--offering transit assistance to senior/disabled riders who are self-isolating and who may need help by allowing caregivers of registered riders to use Dial-a-Ride to do essential errands for them.
Arcadia Unified Launches Mental Health Mondays. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the Arcadia Unified School Districts (AUSD) has decided to launch Mental Health Mondays. Each Monday, for the remainder of the school year, AUSD will provide mental health resources to help support everyone navigating the coronavirus pandemic and school closures simultaneously. In addition to helping support students, these resources are also available to AUSD parents, staff, and community.
Arcadia Unified School District is urging parents by letter to send their children to school if they show no symptoms of the recently discovered Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS was first diagnosed in China and Hong Kong, and is similar to the flu.
Back on track. Santa Anita Park resumes racing today, still minus spectators and with several precautions. The last time there was racing was March 27, when the track was shut down by Los Angeles County Health Department to slow the spread of coronavirus. Some of the most important protocols include: restricted zone that will house jockeys, valets and essential personnel, all trainers, employees and essential racing personnel must wear face cloths covering their nose and mouth and practice social distancing, all trainers, employees and essential racing personnel must wear a race-day wristband signifying they passed the daily health screening.
City of Arcadia & Methodist Hospital to Host Virtual Public Health Town Hall. The City of Arcadia and Methodist Hospital are joining together to host a virtual public health town hall on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 6 p.m. The city and hospital are actively engaged in coordinating a unified response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As more is learned about COVID-19 and the disease’s progression and impact on the community, city leaders and public health practitioners want to share lessons learned, best practices, and the latest scientific data to inform the community on effective COVID-19 transmission mitigation strategies.
City of Arcadia will reopen City Hall and other facilities to the public as part of the Safer At Work and in the Community Order issued by Los Angeles County. Beginning June 15, open facilities now include City Hall, Arcadia Fire Department, Public Works, and city parks and open spaces. The Arcadia Police Department, Community Center, Arcadia Public Library and Museum remain closed. Arcadia City Council meetings will still be conducted virtually in June.
COVID-19 pandemic initiaties "infodemic." The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has hit the U.S. economy hard and is spreading. There are 938 cases reported in the United States.
A dead crow infected with West Nile Virus was found in Arcadia on September 3, and is the first confirmed finding of the virus in Los Angeles County this year. Exposure to West Nile Virus is spread to humans from the vite of an infected mosquito. Biting a bird that carries the virus infects a mosquito. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is encouraging the public to take precautions to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.