Category: Health

County of Ventura Moves to Stage 2 Reopening • El Condado avanzará con la Etapa 2 del estado de reapertura

by Community Contributor • May 8, 2020 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura has reached an important milestone for our community, County and our local economy. The Public Health Officer announced today a new modified Stay Well VC Health Order to align with the State of California’s four-stage framework for reopening. The County will move forward with the State’s Stage 2 of reopening lower-risk businesses on May 8, 2020. This will allow retail businesses, such as clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and florists, for example, to reopen with curb side delivery, as well as the related manufacturing and supply chain businesses.

Amid COVID-19 School Closures, State Sen. Jackson Introduces Legislation to Expand Job Protected Leave for Parents

by Community Contributor • May 8, 2020 • Comments Off

As California schools remain shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara), announced legislation on May 8 to expand job protected leave for working parents affected by school and childcare closures as a result of a declared federal, state, or local emergency.

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue Network Expands to Offer Critical Support to Those In Need

by Community Contributor • May 8, 2020 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue, a program of the Community Environmental Council (CEC), announces multiple collaborations to support county-wide efforts to feed those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue matches donors that have excess, nutritious food with organizations serving food insecure populations. Since 2018, this CEC-led effort has coordinated the?rescue?of?nearly 60,000 pounds of edible prepared food?for?distribution?through?more than a dozen agencies,?including Buellton Senior Center, Casa Serena, PATH, and Salvation Army Hospitality House. Beyond helping people, food rescue mitigates climate impacts by keeping high-quality excess prepared food out of landfills, where it decomposes and emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 7 — Stay Well VC – Safely Reopening Ventura County

by Community Contributor • May 7, 2020 • Comments Off

Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer Virtual Breakfast

by Community Contributor • May 7, 2020 • Comments Off

The Southeast Ventura County National Day of Prayer was supposed to take place today on the CLU campus. Instead, the Y brought together community members in a Prayer Breakfast video. Click here.

May 7, 2020 is the National Day of Prayer. Instead of our Annual Prayer Breakfast, we are excited to bring you this video with all of our speakers. We hope that it brings you encouragement and inspiration during this time. God bless you all and thank you for watching.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 6

by Community Contributor • May 6, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

13 new cases

608 total cases

419 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

11 in the ICU

170 under quarantine

19 deaths

12,122 people tested

Today’s video update: https://vimeo.com/415735841.

Port of Hueneme Family Fights through COVID-19

by Community Contributor • May 6, 2020 • Comments Off

Just as in person auto sales resume, the Port’s largest customers brace for an approximate 90% reduction in cargo over the next two months. Automobiles, the Port’s largest revenue generating commodity, will see reductions as manufacturers from Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, and Japan have been closed during most of April. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, auto manufactures in the United States and around the world have either halted production or switched to making ventilators to assist hospitals with demand.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 5

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here is your daily COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura:

18 new cases
595 total cases
416 recovered cases
22 hospitalized
11 in the ICU
160 under quarantine
19 deaths
11,854 people tested

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces Shakira Miracle as First Executive Director

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2020 • Comments Off

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is proud to announce the selection of its first Executive Director, Shakira Miracle. Her hiring comes at a critical time when the strain and stress on our local food system is at an unprecedented high due to COVID-19.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 4

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your daily COVID-19 update.

11 new cases

577 total cases

402 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

10 ICU

19 deaths

11,100 people tested

CSUCI Chemistry and Nursing students get more opportunity for hands-on experience with two separate grants

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Selected Nursing students and two outstanding CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Chemistry students will benefit from grants awarded to Associate Professor of Chemistry Ahmed Awad, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Nursing Charlene Niemi, R.N., Ph.D.

County of Ventura Expanded COVID-19 Testing

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Community transmission of COVID-19 continues to occur in Ventura County. Testing for COVID-19 has expanded to multiple locations throughout the County. Any Ventura County resident who meets the following criteria may schedule an appointment for testing by calling a State Location or County’s Ambulatory Urgent Care-sponsored testing site hotline.

Friendship Center — Giving Tuesday

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2020 • Comments Off

During Friendship Center’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are challenged to find creative ways to serve and support our senior community. The FC team is up for that challenge, but we need your help! In addition to hygiene and home activity supplies for our Take Care Totes, we are accepting monetary donations to fund virtual support for our sweet seniors and their families. Thank you to all for any amount of support, be well and stay safe

Updated parking along Pacific Coast Highway

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2020 • Comments Off

In order to continue the success of Ventura County flattening the COVID-19 curve, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, working in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, California State Parks, and Ventura County Parks Department, will be updating parking standards along northern and southern stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County.

County of Ventura: COVID-19 Update for May 3. County Expands COVID-19 Testing Kicks Off 5/4/20

by Community Contributor • May 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura.

7 new cases

566 total cases

402 recovered cases

25 hospitalized

9 in the ICU

145 under quarantine

19 deaths

10,861 tested

‘Coco’ Actors Thank Children for Helping Fight the Coronavirus, Encourage Them to Remain Vigilant

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

Several actors from the movie “Coco”© have teamed up to send a “Thank you!” message to all the children who have stayed at home to slow down the spread of the deadly COVID-19. The artists recorded “We’re All In This Together,” a video that also asks kids to remain vigilant against the virus.

State COVID-19 Case Rates and Pandemic Protection: A Metric for Decisions to Implement, Continue, or Relax Measures

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

State and terrritorial governors have implemented pandemic protection measures in order to interrupt and slow down the passage of the coronavirus throughout each state’s population. Some of these measures are implemented at the individual level, such as wearing a facemask or maintaining social distance. The risk of transmission is much higher among crowds of people in close proximity, so another set of measures operates at the group level, trying to keep large groups from forming by keeping potential members dispersed.

“Romaine lettuce tainted with E. coli can be recalled or removed from grocery stores to prevent transmission,” said Paul Hsu, an epidemiologist at UCLA. “When someone is infected with coronavirus, we have to rearrange social contacts to interrupt that person-to-person transmission.” Crowds at sporting events, audiences at concerts, and students in classrooms have been dispersed by cancelling games, events, and classes.

Coalition For Family Harmony Sees Increase In Crisis Calls To Its Hotline

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

The Coalition for Family Harmony, which provides victims of family violence in Ventura County with the means to help escape from abuse, has seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in crisis calls to its hotline since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order took effect.

“Financial and emotional stresses are taking a toll. Victims are calling our hotline, fearful about staying in their home with an abuser but also worried about leaving and possibly being exposed to COVID-19,” says Dr. Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, Coalition For Family Harmony executive director. “They are in desperate situations.”

VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – May 2020

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

Now, more than ever, VCCDC strives for this unifying vision. Even during these challenging times, homeownership is still considered to be a foundation for building financial stability. As we pivot to address the recent challenges in our communities, we will continue to empower and connect people through all our programs.

After conducting a recent survey, we found that some of our most affected neighbors are homeowners at risk of foreclosure and frustrated tenants who are struggling to pay rent with limited understanding of their options or fair housing laws. We have also noted that a fair number of senior homeowners have reached out to us, asking about their options with their current mortgages. As a result, we are renewing focus on foreclosure prevention counseling, tenant education and reverse mortgage counseling to address these critical issues.

CSUCI study seeks surfer input on beach closures

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

State and local efforts to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic have left many American coast dwellers without beach access and surfers landlocked.

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management Dan Reineman, Ph.D., is investigating the social ramifications of beach and ocean access restrictions across the state of California and the nation by launching a nationwide survey aimed at the surfing community.

Reineman is asking surfers across the nation to participate in a survey: www.coastography.org/SADsurvey and share it with their surfing friends.

Ventura County Animal Services: Suspended Pet Adoptions to be Reinstated in a Staged Approach Beginning May 2

by Community Contributor • May 1, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Animal Services has received approval from Dr. Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer, to reinstate pet adoptions on a limited basis at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. This authorization applies only to pet adoptions — all other COVID-19 restrictions are still in effect. All adoptions will be conducted by appointment only and the shelter still remains closed to the public for casual visitation.

On Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00am, VCAS will activate their online scheduling system for Adoption Counseling appointments and will begin scheduling these sessions starting Sunday, May 3rd.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 30

by Community Contributor • April 30, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura.

18 new cases
535 total cases
377 recovered cases
27 currently in the hospital (5 patients are long term care facility patients that do not need hospital care but are being cared for in the hospital setting to protect other long term care facility residents)
9 in the ICU
18 deaths (37-99; 9 males and 9 females)
9,962 people tested

Press Conference: Here’s an update from 4/29/20 https://vimeo.com/413333237. Tune in tomorrow at 1 pm for the Friday update. Streamed live on www.vcemergency.com.

Moorpark College Nursing Science Program Students Excel

by Community Contributor • April 30, 2020 • Comments Off

Moorpark College Nursing Science program faculty members diligently prepare their graduates to enter the challenging and rewarding field of nursing. As proof of the students’ preparedness, the Fall 2019 class had a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam. The national average pass rate for first-time test-takers is 83.5 percent.

Bilingual report: CenCal Health Procures PPE for Central Coast Hospitals, Clinics

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

CenCal Health, the publicly-sponsored health plan for Medi-Cal in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, has procured and is now in the process of delivering 100,000 disposable face masks, 100,000 disposable gloves and 20,000 protective gowns in order to protect and support local healthcare workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 29

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

Chief Deputy Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency Barry Zimmerman provided an update on testing this week. View the update here. The County of Ventura is focused on the ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating and supporting those who are positive or exposed. These steps are critical on the path to reopening.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Good news, expanded testing begins next week

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

Good news, expanded testing begins next week, see below for details. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the State’s plan to reopen the economy in four stages:

Stage 1: Improving testing and tracing, procuring personal protective equipment and ensuring hospital surge capacity.

Stage 2: Opening, with adaptations, school and child care facilities and lower-risk workplaces like retail stores, manufacturers and offices. Park and trail restrictions will also be loosened.

Stage 3: Opening higher-risk workplaces, like gyms, nail and hair salons, movie theaters, sports without live audiences and churches.

Stage 4: End of the stay-at-home order; reopen highest-risk workplaces, like concerts, convention centers and live-audience sports.

VCOE Statement on Potential Early Reopening of School Campuses

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

The California Department of Education on April 29 announced it is studying options for reopening school campuses after Governor Newsom suggested they could open as early as July or August. Many questions remain about the safety, fiscal and labor implications of reopening campuses before the traditional start of the next school year. For now, there has been no alteration to existing school calendars.

Santa Barbara County Nonprofits Collaborate to Meet Critical Needs of Isolated Seniors During COVID-19

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

Many of our older community members, particularly those living alone, are not receiving the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic. To address this gap, several nonprofits in Santa Barbara County have collaborated to identify isolated seniors and connect them to essential services or critical needs, such as food and supplies.

UC Santa Barbara — The Current — A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2020 • Comments Off

The Doctor Is On

A communication scholar explores the use of entertainment media as therapy for stress, anxiety and hopelessness.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 28

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening Ventura County, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura:

5 new cases
135 current cases
508 total cases
356 recovered cases
26 hospitalized (5 patients are long term care facility patients not in need of hospital care but being cared for at the hospital to protect others at long term care facilities)
11 in the ICU
17 deaths: age range 37-99 years; 9 males and 8 females.

Recursos disponibles para la comunidad afectada por el COVID 19

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Recursos disponibles para la comunidad afectada por el COVID 19

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County awarded $50,000 from Weingart Foundation in support of affordable workforce housing

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has been named as one of 29 grantees receiving funding support from Weingart Foundation through their Unrestricted Operating Support (U.O.S.) program. Housing Trust Fund VC will receive $50,000 over two years to help with capacity building in support of the Fund’s overall mission to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle.

Registered nurse on the front lines against COVID-19 got her start at SBCC

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Kaitlin Shipley always knew she wanted to work in the healthcare field. After working as a medical assistant for several years after high school, she enrolled in the nursing program at Santa Barbara City College, graduating in 2019 with an associate degree in nursing. Fast forward less than one year, Kaitlin finds herself donning protective gear to enter the isolation room at Lompoc Valley Medical Center as one of the local heroes in the battle against COVID-19.

Emergency Child Care Initiative serving additional essential workforce categories

by Community Contributor • April 27, 2020 • Comments Off

The Emergency Child Care Initiative (ECCI) was established to provide members of the essential workforce with affordable child care options to allow them to continue working in roles that are critical to our local COVID-19 response. Since ECCI was launched in early April, child care programs have been established serving most major health care providers throughout the county, including Cottage Health, Sansum Clinic, Lompoc Valley Medical, and the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast. With those programs firmly established, the Initiative is now shifting attention to other members of the essential workforce. This includes employees in food service, grocery industry, farm workers and agricultural production, nursing homes, sanitation, and other essential workforce professions. Children ages 6 months to 12 years will be prioritized.

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Meal Service for April 27-May 1

by Community Contributor • April 27, 2020 • Comments Off

NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under

APRIL 27- MAY 1, 2020

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 26

by Community Contributor • April 26, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Afternoon, Here’s your daily update from the County of Ventura.

1 new case

209 current cases

497 total cases

271 recovered cases

29 currently at the hospital (7 are long term care facility patients that are not acute for hospital care but staying at the hospitals throughout the county to protect others)

7 ICU patients

17 deaths (9 males and 8 females ages 37-99, 11 passed in the hospital and 6 at home, all had comorbidities)

9,161 tested

Special thanks to our community members for following the soft closure guidelines at local beaches. Coastal law enforcement reported that beach visitors followed the rules and kept moving.

Stay informed at www.vcemergency.com.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 25

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here is your daily update on COVID-19 in the County of Ventura.

20 new cases
213 current cases
496 total cases
267 recovered cases
21 hospitalized
7 in the ICU
8,503 people have been tested

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 24

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your daily update on COVID-19 from the County of Ventura.

11 new cases
476 total cases
255 recovered cases
25 in the hospital
7 in the ICU
8,503 people tested
16 deaths

CASA of SLO County A local non-profit gets creative with fundraising events

by Community Contributor • April 24, 2020 • Comments Off

As you may know, Court Appointed Special Advocates—CASA of San Luis Obispo County had to cancel a major fundraiser, Hope for the Future. CASA relies on this event for a significant amount of their budget. They have moved all their auction items to an online format. The funds raised during this auction are vital to help them continue serving the children under the jurisdiction of the child protection court in San Luis Obispo County.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 23

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2020 • Comments Off

14 new cases
465 total cases
245 recovered cases
26 in the hospital *5 of which are not in need of hospitalization but are long-term care facility patients being cared for at hospitals to protect the other long-term care facility members.
7 in the ICU
8, 256 people tested
16 deaths
Age range of deaths 37-99: 8 males and 8 females. All individuals had comorbidities.
Unfortunately, a 37-year-old male died as the result of a drug overdose with COVID-19 infection as a significant comorbidity and contributing condition. Questions can be directed to the Medical Examiner’s Office at MeoAdmin@ventura.org.

Channel Islands Harbor — Beach Visitors Urged to Follow Social Distancing Guidelines

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2020 • Comments Off

Residents who visit County of Ventura-managed beaches are urged to follow guidelines outlined in the Stay Well At Home Order issued by County of Ventura Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin.

Vulnerable Individuals and Families in Santa Barbara County Assisted through COVID-19 Joint Response Effort; also Supports Nonprofits Assisting Those Impacted by Virus

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2020 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County, The Santa Barbara Foundation and the Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide funders’ collaborative, the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County. The Effort will provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively assisting members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $2 million has been secured and fundraising continues to help those most in need.

Commentary: A quiet resistance to light our way

by Amigos805.com • April 22, 2020 • Comments Off

Resistance. Quiet, persistent resistance.

Every once in a while, that resistance comes to everyone and everything.

As we note Earth Day this week, we are reminded of that resistance. In our stay-safe-at-home times, we are now seeing a world where the air is cleaner, the sound of nature is clearer and the Earth is actually healing itself a little at a time. There is a chilling, yet quiet beauty seeing the streets of Paris, London, Rome and New York virtually empty and nature going on quite well without us.

It’s as if Earth finally said, “ENOUGH.”