COVID-19

Ring in the holiday season with the Meyers Community Foundation and enjoy their virtual tree lighting celebration on Friday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m.

To comply with COVID-19 safety precautions they moved the annual tradition to Facebook. It can be watched live here - www.facebook.com/MeyersCommunity/live.

The Virtual Meyers Community Tree Lighting Celebration will feature comedian and radio show host Howie Nave doing the annual countdown to light the very special tree. Lake Valley Fire District will join in and illuminate the holiday spirit.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 98 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 16 are in El Dorado Hills, 19 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 24 in Greater Placerville, 8 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 9 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 7 in North County, 2 in South County, 12 in Lake Tahoe region. There is one less awaiting address confirmation, awaiting address confirmation for 10.

One of those new cases, six are under the age of 18, 50 are aged 18-49, 23 are aged 50-64, and 19 aged 65 or older.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is celebrating kindness and paying it forward this holiday season by visiting locals deserving of a special treat purchased from local small businesses.

Staff members are not shaving this December for 'Decembeard', and taking the funds collected to buy a gift at a local small business and then deliver to the chosen person....each day for the 12 Days of Christmas. They did the same beard fundraising last month along with City staff for 'Novembeard' which raised money for a cancer charity.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 56 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 7 are in El Dorado Hills, 14 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 4 in Greater Placerville, 1 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 4 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 8 in North County, 1 in South County, 20 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three less awaiting address confirmation, awaiting address confirmation for 9.

One of those new cases, eight are under the age of 18, 27 are aged 18-49, eight are aged 50-64, and 13 aged 65 or older.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been a lot of recent conversation about the stress COVID-19 patients have put on hospital systems across the country, including El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe. Concern has been expressed about the occupancy rates at Barton Hospital and what its capacity is to handle the current surge of residents testing positive for the virus.

Douglas County has recently seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in an extremely short period of time. This is part of a regional and statewide trend in rapidly increasing confirmed COVID-19 infections and they are experiencing strain to their healthcare system and first responders.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If COVID-19 cases continue their dramatic rise, California Governor Gavin Newsom said there may be more drastic measures coming, including a stay-at-home order in purple-tier counties where cases are surging. Newsom said Northern California hospitals are currently at 85 percent capacity in the ICU and they are expected to be at 100 percent in early December.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) will continue to serve as an appointment-only COVID-19 testing center through March 31, 2021. The college’s standalone Physical Education building is the only large-scale COVID-19 active virus testing site operating in El Dorado County.

As of noon Saturday, Alpine County has been assigned by the California Department of Public Health to the Red Tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This move is based on statistical data which includes:
- Test Positivity (7-day average with a 4-day lag) – 5.8 percent
- Total new cases (7-day total with a 4-day lag) – 6

Being the smallest county in the state with about 1,200 residents, their increasing case load has concerned Public Health Officer, Dr. Richard Johnson.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 39 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 19 are in El Dorado Hills, nine in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, one in North County, two in Greater Placerville, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, two in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, four in Lake Tahoe region. There is one awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, 20 are under the age of 18, none are aged 18-49, eight are aged 50-64, and 11 aged 65 or older.

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - The smallest county in the state has now moved from from the yellow tier to the orange tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Alpine County has experienced a large increase in COVID-19 cases so the Dr. Richard Johnson, the county's health officer had anticipated the move.

The holidays are upon us, bringing a time to celebrate and gather. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, however, even small in-person gatherings are a contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases we are seeing across the nation and in our own community. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, family, and community healthy and safe.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors extended the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial
hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District’s COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offers a 50% credit up to $3,000 for the next quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“We’re extending the rate relief program because our community just entered another phase of restrictions, which could cause economic hardship for our customers,” says Randy Vogelgesang, Board President.

Sugar Bowl Resort and Royal Gorge Cross Country will open for the 2020/21 winter season on Friday, November 27, 2020 with new safety procedures.

“We are eager to welcome our guests back to the mountain and are thrilled that opening day is just a week away,” said Greg Dallas, President and CEO of Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge. “Our team has worked tirelessly on a reopening plan that keeps the safety of our guests and staff as the top priority.”

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-awaited opening day for skiing and riding in South Lake Tahoe arrived Friday with season pass holders hitting the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort. They joined Northstar in being the only two resorts in Lake Tahoe to open. Squaw Alpine opens on November 25, followed by Kirkwood December 4, Sierra-at-Tahoe has not announced an opening date.

Heavenly reported a foot of natural snow from this week's storm added on top of the snow they've been making since temperatures dropped a few weeks ago.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To our South Lake Tahoe Library Friends and Community, Thank you for your patience as the Friends of the Library have been working with Library staff and the El Dorado County Public Health Services to continue our book sale events at the Library. Unfortunately, due to weather and grounds concerns and also increasing Covid-19 virus cases in the area, we are canceling our Saturday, November 21 sale and suspending book sale events until the weather warms or we can go back inside. As conditions change, we will let you know and welcome your participation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 52 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 15 are in El Dorado Hills, five in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, one in South County, eight in Greater Placerville, eight in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, and 11 in Lake Tahoe region.

One of those new cases, three are under the age of 18, 31 are aged 18-49, 15 are aged 50-64, and three aged 65 or older.

Another 374 people were tested for the coronavirus and 322 negative tests results were received.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The safety of patients and healthcare workers is Barton Health’s top priority. The health care system has operations in place to continue to meet the demand for medical services as COVID-19 cases surge across the nation and Lake Tahoe. After preparation for the anticipated increase of patient volume this fall and winter, aspects of Barton’s plan are being implemented to meet the needs for patient care.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the continued dramatic rise of COVID-19 cases in the community, Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has moved all schools and programs to distance learning starting Thursday, November 19.

A significant number of staff members currently have COVID-19 or have been in direct contact with a confirmed positive individual.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fingerprint Live Scan services will cease for the time being at the South Lake Tahoe Police Department due to COVID-19 restrictions. As much of California moved into the Purple Tier the department adjusted its areas of public contact.

To assist with the hiring of first responders and medical personnel SLTPD will be able to provide pre-employment fingerprint services by appointment only. The SLTPD front lobby is closed at this time so please call 530.542.6100 to schedule that appointment or for other normal front counter services.
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 97 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 21 are in El Dorado Hills, ten in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, three in North County, two in South County, 14 in Greater Placerville, eight in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, five in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 33 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three positive results awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, six are under the age of 18, 50 are aged 18-49, 23 are aged 50-64, and 18 aged 65 or older.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 64 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Of those, 18 are in El Dorado Hills, eight in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, four in North County, four in Greater Placerville, three in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, one in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, and 24 in Lake Tahoe region. There are two results awaiting address confirmation.

One of those new cases, seven are under the age of 18, 40 are aged 18-49, 13 are aged 50-64, and four aged 65 or older.

UPDATE 11/16/20: Lake Tahoe Unified School District has issued a correction to their statement from Sunday. At Sierra House Elementary no students or staff have tested positive. One family member of a student tested positive so the student is currently quarantined.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) sent out a notice to staff and families Sunday night to inform them of two new positive cases of COVID-19 in the district.

With a rising number of COVID-19 cases across the nation, The three West Coast state have issued travel advisories recommending 14-day quarantines for inter-state and international travel. California, Oregon and Washington are also asking residents to stay local to slow the spread of the virus.