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On Wednesday, the nearby city of Newport Beach disclosed that two of their seasonal lifeguards tested positive for the coronavirus. An additional 20 lifeguards are currently under isolation to determine if they develop symptoms. According to a statement from city lifeguards, one more has developed symptoms and has not yet been tested.
The seasonal lifeguards staff lives works and plays together in a lot of cases, according to the city lifeguards. Staffing is not a problem as of Wednesday, but out of caution to employees.
Contact tracing for the lifeguards who tested positive is underway, according to the city manager's office.
"The extraordinary situation of the COVID situation, and the possibility of lifeguards having to possibly rescue victims infected with the virus," Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill said.
Even with these lifeguards being out, there is an enhanced level of staffing in Newport Beach, Newport Beach lifeguards say. The suggestions on whether or not to close the beaches are not a matter of staffing.
During the meeting, it was disclosed that 76 lifeguards were scheduled for staffing on Friday, 79, for Saturday and more for Sunday.
Those exposed to coronavirus were referred for follow-up care, which may include testing and quarantine, the city reported.
Newport Beach's City Manager has the discretion to close beaches the remainder of the weekend, based on prevailing conditions, according to O'Neill.
"We are serious about this, and everyone needs to get the message," Mayor O'Neill said.
For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE
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