West Covina Mayor Tony Wu will introduce a request at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, to discuss alternatives to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health services after newly implemented regulations went into effect this weekend.

Wu said he wants to open discussions about creating a health department for the city — collaborating with an existing city health department or working with other cities to create a regional health department.

Wu wants to start a dialogue and find a way to keep businesses and restaurants in West Covina open, have children return to school and make decisions about the health of the city’s residents on a more local level.

“I’m the mayor. I’m really frustrated,” Wu said about guiding the city through a pandemic. “I cannot protect my residents.”

For the second straight day, new coronavirus cases in LA County surpassed 5,000 and, health officials said Monday, the average number of daily hospitalizations shot up 93% from Nov. 13 to Nov. 26. And if current projections hold — despite tighter restrictions going into effect Monday, including a ban on all gathering with those not within your household — the healthcare system could become overburdened by the end of December, officials said.

Other safety modifications in Monday’s wave of new rules order include prohibiting public and private gatherings with individuals who are not within a household, except for faith-based services and protests, which are constitutionally protected, occupancy limits at certain businesses, and the closures of playgrounds and cardrooms.

“The case numbers are extraordinarily high,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer at a Monday briefing with reporters. “We are very worried and easily anticipate even higher numbers before this week is over.”

Wu said he is worried that some small businesses in West Covina are not going to survive the latest safety regulations. He said some small businesses are not coming back.

“How can we help the next generation?” Wu asked. “How can we have a good policy to help each other?”

West Covina has its own police department and fire department. Wu said he is concerned about how the city is going to continue to fund those services if the city’s budget is affected by the county safety regulations.

Wu wants to introduce some different ways to provide health department services. He wants to explore creating a regional health department and invite neighboring cities — including Glendora, Azusa, La Puente, Baldwin Park, Irwindale, Covina, Industry and Walnut — to join.

He also suggested seeking support from existing health departments in other cities. Nearby Pasadena and Long Beach operate their own health departments.

Pasadena established its own guidelines to keep restaurants open for outdoor dining, while other cities in Los Angeles County were ordered to shut down in-person dining.

One of the reasons Wu wants West Covina to have its own health department is to make decisions based on local information and data. He said Los Angeles County is too big to make health decisions for smaller areas and cities, such as West Covina and its neighboring communities.

Such cities as Lancaster, Beverly Hills and Whittier are discussing similar options, amid tightening county restrictions on business and public gatherings.

Wu also said he is concerned that Los Angeles County health officials are making decisions that are damaging to school-age children in West Covina. Schools have been closed since March and most students have not been on campuses for in-school instruction for months.

“Everybody’s in trouble,” Wu said. “We need to have our children back in school.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will also review the parks and field-use policies. Field and athletic facilities have seen an increase in unauthorized use since the pandemic began. County guidelines allow for intersquad play and practice, but not games with opposing teams. West Covina’s sports council teams and travel sports teams are allowed to practice at city facilities.

The West Covina Public Services Department prioritizes field use to organizations that are members of the West Covina Sports Council or are in compliance with council bylaws. The West Covina Sports Council consists of local youth sports leagues operating in the city and meet certain city requirements.

The City Council will consider two options moving forward with its parks and field use policies: to continue using established procedures or provide alternative direction.

The West Covina City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.