Special thanks to Berta and the entire Environmental Services Team! These special people work 24/7 serving our community members at our hospitals. We are so grateful for their had work and dedication. They are our community heroes!
COVID-19 vaccine appointments are limited due to limited vaccine supply. We are continuing to advocate for more vaccine at the state level. There are more people eligible than supply available so it will take time to secure an appointment.
All activities authorized under the State’s Orange Tier can resume:
Amusement parks: smaller parks can open outdoors with 25% max occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer; there must be reservations or advanced ticket sales
Bars (where no meal is served): open outdoors with modifications
Cardrooms and satellite wagering: open indoors with 25% max occupancy
Family entertainment centers: open indoors 25% max occupancy
Fitness centers and gyms: open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy…
There are 46 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 12,276 new tests performed. There have been no additional deaths. Current doubling time is 1229.1 days. The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .76 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .81 right now.
Click here for information about COVID-19 testing.
One Year in Quarantine:
Caregivers Share Trials & Triumphs
Amazon Smile Program
Take Care Totes April 15
Friendship Center Office Humor
Virtual Connections Tech Help
The State of California has announced that vaccine eligibility will expand April 1 to those 50 or older and to those 16 or older April 15. “This is exciting news for our residents. The County is aligning itself with the State on this expanded rollout and we are hopeful more vaccines will be coming soon so appointments can be secured,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Linda Parks.
The County received 14,090 vaccines during the week of March 22. Appointments for 1st and 2nd doses quickly filled. The number of community members who are currently eligible exceeds the amount of vaccines provided to the County. The next shipment will include 18,000 doses. More than 36% of eligible community members have received the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 360,000 vaccine doses have been administered.
Santa Barbara County residents who are 50 years of age and older will be able to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning today for Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics in Lompoc, happening March 28 through April 3. Effective April 1, people 50 years of age and older will also be eligible to schedule appointments at any of the participating pharmacies, hospitals or health care providers as supply is available.
As of this afternoon, county residents may begin scheduling appointments for the first Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics located at the Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center in Lompoc happening from March 28 through April 3 and available to all eligible groups.
The County of Ventura is launching a second COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses and nonprofit organizations that did not receive a grant during the County’s first program in 2020. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to selected organizations that meet the eligibility requirements.
Ventura County Community Foundation Announces Matching Fund Opportunity for COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund
Amgen Foundation to contribute $300,000 in matching support to
Ventura County Rapid Response Fund
Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Ventura County Community Foundation donors have granted out an incredible $14 million to support local small businesses, individuals and families in need, our essential workers, and our indispensable nonprofits on the front lines.
There are 62 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 5,291 new tests performed.
There have been 3 additional deaths: 72 year old female, 91 year old female and 70 year old female.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
The current R-effective (average number of people each infected person will pass the virus onto and represents the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading) is .6 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .81 right now.
Keeping it local: COVID-19 Vaccine appointments are for those that live or work in Ventura County. Those who do not live or work in Ventura County will be turned away at their vaccine appointment. The State’s My Turn platform allows anyone from anywhere to make an appointment. Please share with any out of County friends or family that a person must show proof of living or working in our County to get vaccinated at one of our sites.
There are 97 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 6,016 new tests performed.
There have been 3 additional deaths: 66 year old male, 68 year old male and 75 year old male.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
The County of Ventura will move to the State’s Red Tier beginning 12:01 am Wednesday, March 17, 2021.“This is great news for our community and an opportunity to work together to support our local businesses as we move forward in reopening our economy,” said County Executive Officer, Michael Powers.
In alignment with the state’s reopening framework, masking, distancing and infection control practices remain in place.
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has been providing financial support to over 100 COVID-19 positive lower income patients and their families in a special partnership with Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
It has been particularly difficult for these families as they experience the multi-pronged impacts of a life-threatening virus including losing work and income while quarantining to protect the rest of us by remaining home. Imagine complying with CDC guidelines by staying at home while, at the same time, being unable to pay for groceries and other essentials for your family. These are families that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and they’re trying their best to be safe under difficult conditions that none of us could have predicted.
NEW VACCINE PHASE OPENED TODAY: Individuals aged 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 because they have the following severe health conditions are now eligible:
Cancer, current with weakened immune system
Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
Down syndrome
Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ? 40 kg/m2)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced that 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Californians in some of the state’s hardest-hit communities, increasing immunity where the state’s transmission rates and disease burden have been the highest during the pandemic. With this equity metric met, and because vaccines slow the spread of disease and serious illness, the previously announced update to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy to account for progress with vaccine administration goes into effect.
If you had asked me five years ago if it were possible to have a Board of Supervisors hearing about redistricting, the long-term planning work program, or marijuana without having a knock-down-drag-out fight, I would have told you no way. This week, we discussed all three civilly and though there were disagreements, there was a confluence of purpose and principle. When the rest of the nation has become more partisan and angry, I hope it is reassuring to you to have a Board that works together to get things done.
The state has announced that once 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered in the most vulnerable communities in the state that the state will modify the case rate requirements. The case rate requirements are tied into the different colored tiers. If the case rate requirement is adjusted and Ventura County meets the metric we will move to the Red Tier next Wednesday the 17th.
Looking forward. Here’s what can be open (following the state issued guidance for each sector) once the County is in the Red Tier:
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is proud to announce that Ridley-Tree Cancer Center is a sponsor of the illuminate Speaker Series, a virtual series that brings world-renowned speakers every month to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting us all.
As local nonprofits in Santa Barbara adapt to find new ways to serve their clients and causes, HSB is adjusting to the new realities that come with COVID-19 through theirilluminate Speaker Series, which provides helpful resources to our community and beyond as we cope with our new reality.
Shout out to the wonderful team of Nurses and Disaster Service Workers who are serving at COVID-19 vaccine sites throughout our County! Thank you Ventura County for the many kind emails and letters about your positive experiences receiving the vaccine. The site staff appreciates the messages!
The VC Mobile Library distributes Face Mask Kits to children and families thanks to a partnership with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. Kits contain face masks, hand sanitizer, COVID-19 safety and good hygiene information, a resource guide for coping with COVID and where to find help. Brothers, Luis and Sebastian recently enjoyed selecting new books from the Mobile Library. They are smiling behind those masks! Learn more about the Ventura County Library at the following link: www.vencolibrary.org/.
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and Senior Concerns are partnering to collect nonperishable grocery items to distribute to low-income seniors who are self-isolating because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Items will be collected through March 19 at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village.
“We know many of our community’s seniors don’t want to go grocery shopping for fear of contracting COVID-19 and they don’t have family or friends who can do the shopping for them,” says Ronnie Stone, President and CEO of the Y.
A COVID-19 update will be provided at the Board of Supervisors meeting 3/9/21. The presentation will be live streamed on County of Ventura Facebook @CountyofVentura and at the following link beginning at 8:30 am: www.ventura.org/board-of-supervisors/agendas-documents-and-broadcasts/.
In order to return to the things we enjoyed pre COVID-19, such as gatherings, travel, live entertainment, in-person education and indoor dining, it is critical that we increase the amount of COVID-19 testing in our County, as well as mask up, physical distance and vaccinate when it is our turn.
Right now, it is as important as ever to get tested for the COVID-19 virus because frequent testing is the best way (short of getting vaccinated once available) to make sure positive cases are identified quickly and get isolated in order to stop further spread.
COVID-19 Vaccines are available for adults age 65 and older, healthcare, food and agriculture, education and childcare, emergency services and qualifying regional center family caregivers. More information at the following link: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/.
Appointments open each week on Mondays at 7 am online am on the phone line for those with limited internet access: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/
?If you have limited internet access you can also call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.
The Area Agency on Aging provides transportation services for older adults that are in need of transportation to a vaccine appointment or for COVID-19 testing. This includes people that need lift assist as well as gurney transportation. The driver will take the individual, wait for them, help them at the site and take them home. To schedule a ride call 805-477-7300. Please note, you must have a vaccine appointment before you schedule a ride to a vaccine site.
Our First Ever Virtual Event
Nearly 200 visitors to our first virtual event!
Over $30K for HEART (Helping Elders At Risk Today)
COVID-19 Vaccines are available for adults age 65 and older, healthcare, food and agriculture, education and childcare, emergency services and qualifying regional center family caregivers. More information at the following link: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/.
More appointments are available at this time. Register at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/
Beginning this week, the state has begun to use a 70/30 formula in allocating vaccine doses. 70% of our vaccine doses will go to those who are 65 and over while 30% will be going to those residents who fall under Vaccine Tier 1B: education/child care workers, food and agriculture workers, and emergency services workers.
Vaccine appointments will be made available for Emergency Services Workers, Grocery Workers, and Phase 1A Health Care workers beginning March 1st at 9am on the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment website.
It was announced yesterday that education and childcare, food and agriculture and emergency response sectors are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Information about appointments can be found at the following link.
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/. Appointments open Monday mornings beginning at 7 am online and 8 am on the phone line.
If you have limited internet access you can call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.
There are now 1st and 2nd dose vaccine appointments available as of 2/25/21 for those eligible.
Please make your appointment by visiting the following link: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.
2nd dose appointments are available for Moderna. Pfizer appointments are full at this time. More will open next week.
2nd dose appointment information can be found at the following link:
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/registration-d2/
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
It was announced today that education and childcare, food and agriculture and emergency response sectors are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, effective today.
Information about appointments can be found at the following link.
www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/. Appointments open every Monday.
If you have limited internet access you can also call the registration hotline at 805-477-7161. The phone line is staffed M-F 8-5. Appointments are set aside for both online registration and the phone line.
Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli sponsor Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) illuminate Speaker Series, a virtual series that brings world-renowned speakers every month to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting us all.
As local nonprofits are adapting to find new ways to serve their clients and causes, HSB is adjusting to the new realities that come with COVID-19 through their illuminate Speaker Series, which provides helpful resources to our community and beyond as we cope with our new reality.
Carpinteria’s only senior living and memory care community, GranVida, can rest easier, as almost all of their staff and residents received their final vaccinations.
Management has expressed deep gratitude to the residents for adhering to vaccination schedules, and for staff and residents’ immediate cooperation with COVID-19 protocols.
More vaccine appointments are now available for those 65 or older or in health care. Please make your appointment by visiting www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/ or by calling 805-477-7161.
Frequently Asked Question: How do I get my 2nd dose appointment?
After receiving your first dose, you will become eligible for your second dose after a waiting period of 21 days if you received Pfizer and 28 days if you received Moderna.
You do not need to receive your second dose on the exact date you become eligible. You have a window of 6 weeks from getting your first dose to receive your second dose. Please do not schedule your second dose earlier than recommended. Refer to your vaccination card, which will list the date you received your first dose.
Frequently Asked Question: How do I get my 2nd dose appointment?
After receiving your first dose, you will become eligible for your second dose after a waiting period of 21 days if you received Pfizer and 28 days if you received Moderna.
You do not need to receive your second dose on the exact date you become eligible. You have a window of 6 weeks from getting your first dose to receive your second dose. Please do not schedule your second dose earlier than recommended. Refer to your vaccination card, which will list the date you received your first dose.
There are three ways to secure a 2nd dose appointment:
Vaccine Update – now open to 65 and older. Appointments open weekly.
Vaccines are in limited supply throughout the State of California. Appointments are full at this time. The current phase in Ventura County is Phase 1A: Healthcare workers, long-term care residents and now 65 and older.
Appointments are limited because of the limited supply of vaccines. It will take time to secure an appointment if you are in the current phase. The County of Ventura wants you to have a vaccine and is advocating for more vaccines.
Once more appointments open a message will be sent. At that time, community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may:
1) Register online www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.
2) Those with limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00.
Residents of Santa Barbara County who are age 65 and older will be eligible to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday, February 16, 2021. This expanded eligibility means that local health care providers, pharmacies, hospitals, and Public Health vaccination sites can open appointments to those 65+ once vaccines become available to them. Vaccine supplies are still very limited and health care providers are simultaneously ensuring those that received a first dose will also be able to receive a second dose.
Yesterday, the Latino Elder Outreach Network (LEON) surprised 400 isolated seniors in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Isla Visa, Santa Maria, and Lompoc with goodie bags and Valentine’s Day cards to share a message of support during the pandemic. LEON is exploring the expansion of its network to North County and used the opportunity to introduce itself to seniors and organizations in Lompoc and Santa Maria.
There are 453 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 6,537 new tests performed for a total of 1,051,626 total tests performed. There are 226 people who are currently hospitalized and 52 in the ICU.
There have been 18 additional deaths: 75 year old male, 72 year old male, 87 year old male, 56 year old male, 81 year old male, 74 year old male, 56 year old female, 82 year old male, 79 year old male, 51 year old male, 64 year old male, 89 year old male, 48 year old male, 53 year old male, 80 year old male, 89 year old female, 62 year old male, and a 85 year old male
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
Spring II 2021 Virtual Classes begin March 22 at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU Channel Islands. Registration begins March 1.
OLLI at CSUCI brings the excitement and stimulation of college learning to area adults (50 or better!) who wish to extend their learning experiences in a university atmosphere.
OLLI members take university-level courses without the distraction of grading, preparing for a career, or meeting degree requirements. OLLI is learning for the joy of learning!
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has announced the addition of Joyce Dudley to its Board of Directors. Dudley has a BA in psychology, and two Master’s Degrees in Education; one with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education and the other with an emphasis on Educational Administration.
The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard was launched last Friday to keep the community informed on the progress of administering COVID-19 vaccines. The dashboard is updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The data shows that in very simple terms “when we get it, we give it”. We want you to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. When we receive the vaccines, we open appointments and administer them.
A second COVID-19 mutation has been detected in Ventura County. An Oxnard sewage study result revealed the presence of a second mutation in a small amount of the COVID virus present in the sample. Oxnard has been testing samples of its wastewater on a weekly basis for a number of weeks. The new mutation was identified as N501Y. It is present in both the United Kingdom and South African variants.
In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Marian Regional Medical Center will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to Santa Barbara County residents age 75 and older by appointment only.
Health care workers who provide direct care to patients, residents of a facility, or in a home care capacity in Santa Barbara County continue to be eligible and may also take advantage of this opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccinations will be given by appointment only to eligible Santa Barbara County residents and health care staff. To make an appointment please call (805) 739-3815 or visit: https://sugeni.us/Wg5A.
The County of Ventura is in Phase 1A. This phase includes those in the health care sector and 75 and older.
The State provides vaccines to the County on a weekly basis. The supply is not enough for the amount of people needing vaccines. The County is advocating for more vaccines and is prepared to administer once the shipment arrives.
Community members who are eligible to be vaccinated may
1) Register online www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.
2) Those with limited computer/internet access may call the phone registration line at 805-477-7161. The phone line is open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:00.
Ventura County we want you to have access to vaccines as soon as possible! We receive vaccines each week from the state and open appointments for the vaccines we are provided. We are not given enough supply to vaccinate all community members at one time. We are advocating for more vaccines and we have the infrastructure to get vaccines in arms as quickly as possible once they are received.
We understand headlines in other places say 65 and older now. Unfortunately, in those places many people in that age range cannot get vaccinated yet because Counties throughout the State are in the same position of not having enough vaccines. The supply issue impacts the ability to expand the vaccine to more sectors at this time.
COVID-19 Vaccine appointments are full at this time. There are more community members wanting vaccines than appointments available this week because of the amount of vaccines we have available. More appointments will be added as more vaccines become available. The County receives vaccines from the state on a weekly basis. More vaccine distribution sites are launching but the County still needs more vaccines to add more appointments. We understand this is frustrating. We want to vaccinate the entire community as quickly as possible. We continue to expand infrastructure for distribution which will help move things forward once we receive more vaccines.
December is a month where we celebrate the closing of our year; a time filled with excitement and anticipation of the joy we are sure to share together during the holidays. Our time of family and community renewal will be greatly altered this year by the COVID-19 pandemic as the virus continues to spread at a slow, yet aggressive, burn. Social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and intermittent lockdowns have become the new normal and move many of us to come together and connect in creative new ways. The approvals of vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, bring hope of increased protection and prevention of the COVID-19 virus; local rollout is here and it could not come soon enough. In Ventura County and around the world, health professionals and epidemiologists can agree on two things: COVID-19 is here to stay, and the future depends on the part we play to stop the spread and — perhaps most importantly — the choices we take together as a community in doing so!
There are 737 new cases of COVID-19
There have been 6 additional deaths: 68 year old female, 96 year old female, 63 year old female, 86 year old male, 96 year old female and 95 year old female. Those that passed away had comorbidities. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this time.
4,317 new tests performed
Current doubling time is 28.6 days.
Current hospitalizations: 326 and current ICU: 67.
Please help bring down the numbers during this critical time.
Thanksgiving Culinary Donations:
Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel- Chef Massimo & Isabel Pfander
Renaud’s Patisserie- Renaud Gonthier & Nancy Vasquez
Anna’s Bakery- Lisa Boelter & Deborah Weber
McDonald’s -Fairview Ave.- Cici Doctolero, Manager
Sprouts- Rod Rufo & Terry Cribbs
