City of Palmdale's Coronavirus Update – 4/22/20

Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer talks about testing and the upcoming City Council meeting in today's COVID-19 update.

Testing

Most of you probably know by now that the LA County Department of Health opened a coronavirus test location at the Antelope Valley Mall, located at 1233 Rancho Vista Blvd.

Since the beginning of April, they’ve tested over 3,000 people. 3,000 already, with more tests done every day.

I want to encourage everyone who is showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, to go to the website and book an appointment for a test. Anyone with COVID 19 symptoms can now book a same day or next day appointment.

The website to book your test is on the screen. Or you can always get it at the City’s website, www.CityofPalmdale.org/coronavirus and we have a link there.

If you do not have access to the website, you can always call 2-1-1.

Let me assure you that the test itself is safe, it’s easy and it doesn’t take long at all. You never have to leave your car. You simply drive through the various stations and you’ll have your test results emailed to you in within a few days. If you are diagnosed with coronavirus, they’ll give you a call.

Now, one thing we’ve found out through all the testing is, that the more tests you do, the more positive cases you find. The County is now testing almost 11,000 people a day. In fact, they had quite a backlog of tests recently which contributed to the increase in numbers all throughout the county, including Palmdale. The Palmdale AV Mall testing site in particular, is one of the busiest, if not THE busiest, testing sites in the area.

However, the increase in confirmed cases has not caused a surge at our hospitals. The hospitals are well prepared for a potential surge for sure. And the Safer at Home measures that we’ve been taking about --- staying home if your sick, washing your hands, coughing into your elbow, and wearing a face covering--- is working to help flatten the curve.

That’s not to say we’re out of the woods yet, because the medical experts are telling us we’re not. But we are moving in the right direction, and I want to personally thank everyone who is doing their part in this fight against the spread of this virus.

Public Meetings

Part of the Safer at Home order has also limited attendance at public meetings, such as our City Council and Planning commission meetings.

So, we’ve been actively looking for ways to engage our residents even though they can’t physically be there in person.

In the last couple of meetings, we’ve integrated technology such as forms on our website that people can fill out and submit, and cell phone texting to allow residents to submit their questions via their smart phone.

We’re now taking it a step further. We’re adding an eComment feature to our website that will make it even easier than before for you to weigh in.

To use the feature, simply go to our Agendas/Minutes/Video webpage at www.cityofpalmdale.org and find the meeting you'd like to submit comments on.

Then click on the eComment button for the meeting you’d wish to comment on.

Next, find the agenda item that you’d like to address. You can choose a specific agenda item/project or provide general comments under the Oral/Written Communications item.

Then, sign in to your SpeakUp Palmdale Account, or just proceed as a guest, and enter your comment in the proper field, provide your name, and if applicable, attach files before submitting your comment.

And that’s it. It really is pretty simple, and it gives you the opportunity to have your voice heard even though you can’t physically be there.

Be ready for the IT team to come up with a simple “How To Video” in order to walk you through the process.

And that’s our update for today. Remember, as tough as things are right now, we’re going to get through this! Stay safe and know that Palmdale Cares about you!