COVID-19 Update
There are 11 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 4,183 new tests performed. There has been 1 additional death, 90 year old woman.
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 .80 which means that spread of COVID-19 is likely decreasing; R-effective for CA is .85 right now.
Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 16 and older. Make your appointment today at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255.
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California Department of Public Health: Resources on the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
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County of Ventura approves $3.65 million in additional funding for Farmworker Household Assistance Program to help farmworkers struggling from ongoing impacts of COVID-19
Ventura, CA – Today, the Board of Supervisors approved an additional $3.65 million in Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to support the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) bringing total support to more than $7.1 million to assist farmworkers and their families. This funding will provide financial aid of $1,000 to eligible households who were previously funded through this program and who still reside in the County.
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance where it’s needed most. This program is important in supporting Farmworkers who are vital members of our community. This will help those who are struggling from the impacts of the pandemic and those who support us all through the agricultural products they provide throughout the year,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.
The Board of Supervisors approved the first FHAP program design in September 2020, which was a collaboration between the Board and a generous group of private donors comprised of agricultural employers, farmworker advocates and community-based organizations. The program required proof of residency, financial hardship due to COVID, and prioritized eligibility to farmworkers at very low-income levels of 50% or below the Average Median Income. It served 3,461 farmworker households with a $1,000 grant, a distribution that totaled just over $3 million in federal CARES Act funding in conjunction with about $400,000 in private donor funds collected in a Farmworker Household Assistance trust that was managed by VCCF. The Human Services Agency administered the program on behalf of the donor group and distributed all the funds before the end of last year.
Farmworkers have continued to work throughout the pandemic. Many experienced reductions in hours due to decreased demand for certain crops used primarily by restaurants. Others have needed to reduce their hours to care for school-age children, while still others have incurred unexpected expenses, all of which have impacted the ability to meet the most basic needs of housing, food and medical care.
“As the pandemic has continued and these farmworker households continue to struggle and endure financial hardships disproportionately, this funding aims to provide additional relief and stability while the challenges to meet basic needs persists,” said Melissa Livingston, Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, which is administering the program.
“These farmworker families who continue to struggle will be receiving a second $1,000 grant under the Farmworker Household Assistance Program,” said Ellen Brokaw from Brokaw Ranch Company. “Our county leaders have stepped up again to help these essential workers who also are our neighbors. Private donations currently being raised will provide further help to even more families. The need is huge. The Ventura County community cares.”
For every $0.50 that is donated to the Farmworker Household Assistance Program by private donors, the Ventura County Community Foundation will also donate $1.00 to the fund through a challenge match grant amount of up to $500,000. Every dollar donated will go directly to farmworker families in need. To donate to the FHAP, please visit www.vccf.org/fhap. Supporting the agricultural community was a priority before the pandemic and this commitment allowed for swift action with partners early on and throughout the ongoing pandemic response. The agricultural industry, growers, farmworker advocates, the Farmworker Resource Program, Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Office of the CEO, Human Services Agency, Logrando Bienestar (the County’s program to connect Latino and Indigenous community members to mental health services), Public Health and community partners have worked together with weekly coordination calls, resource support, resource outreach, health education, COVID-19 testing on site, vaccination events on site, waiving fees at public health clinics, funding extended food pop up sites in partnership with Food Share and providing isolation and quarantine facilities to support farmworkers needing assistance. The FHAP was developed through this partnership with a goal of helping those in need. Learn more about the Farmworker Resource Program at www.vchsa.org/ag.
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County Board of Supervisors approves concept for 3rd Business Assistance Grant Program
Ventura, CA – Today, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the concept of a 3rd Business Assistance Grant Program to provide $5,000 grants to recipients of the County’s first and second Business Assistance Grant Programs totaling $30,700,000 in additional assistance bringing the total amount to more than $60 million in grants for local businesses. Staff will return to the Board with a final program for approval.
“The coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and economic crisis. Local businesses have been subjected to shutdowns, reduced capacity, and health and safety protocols that have inflicted a significant financial burden,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “The survival of our local businesses, the economy, and jobs they support is essential to the wellbeing of Ventura County. Every business matters. Each one represents owners, workers, jobs and families that are vital to our community. We hope additional support will help these businesses continue to move forward.”
As this pandemic has endured, the impact on our community and businesses has continued to grow, and there is an even greater need for additional assistance. The proposed third County business grant program will include an additional $5,000 grant for successful applicants to the County’s first and second business assistance grant programs. This would mean up to 6,139 businesses could receive a second $5,000 grant check representing approximately $30,700,000 in assistance.
“Given the pandemic’s extreme impact on our local economy our small businesses continue to be impacted. They really need our continued to support to not only survive but thrive as they recover,” said Deputy Executive Officer Paul Stamper.
In order to mitigate the devastating economic impacts of this emergency on our local business community, the Board of Supervisors authorized multiple assistance measures to support businesses. These assistance measures have included tens of millions of dollars in fee waivers, rental assistance, and business assistance grants. The County’s first business grant program resulted in 3,868 local small businesses receiving a $5,000 grant. This represented approximately $19,340,000 in direct assistance. This County’s second business grant program is underway now. There were 2,271 applications submitted and qualified applicants will receive a $5,000 grant for a total amount of up to $11,355,000 in assistance.
The County of Ventura has provided more than $186 million in local assistance which includes 50% of the County’s total COVID spending plan through June 30, 2021 including Project Roomkey, Senior Nutrition Programs, Rental Assistance Program, Business Assistance Programs, City Support, Food Share Support, Farmworker Assistance and non-profit hospital support. Community support has also been provided through $77 million in COVID-19 testing resources and $9 million in vaccine deployment.
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Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to Resume in Ventura County Appointments Available 4/27
Ventura, CA – On Friday, April 23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations to lift the pause in the use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. Vaccine providers in Ventura County with doses of the Janssen vaccine can resume administration of the vaccine, provided they provide information from the updated Janssen fact sheet to any recipients of the vaccine. The decision comes after CDC’s independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewed data related to the recent reports of a rare and severe type of blood clot that occurred in individuals after receiving the vaccine. Based on their review of all available data, both the CDC and the FDA determined that the vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.
According to the CDC, to date there have been only 15 confirmed cases of the rare clotting event among nearly 8 million total doses administered in the USA, all in females, which translates to a risk less than 2 cases per million doses overall, and 7 cases per million doses among women between 18 and 49 years of age. For those who have a confirmed case of COVID-19, the risk of dying from it in the United States is 1 in 56.
“The three vaccines that are currently available through the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) remain the most powerful tools we have in reducing transmission, preventing serious illness and death, and eventually ending the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people in Ventura County,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.
People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should contact their primary healthcare provider if they have concerns or if they develop severe symptoms of headache after 5 days of the receipt of the vaccine and abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Ventura County Public Health (VCPH). VCPH will continue to monitor the situation and look to the CDC for any additional future guidance.
“Community members are strongly urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All vaccines are proven to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19, and people who are fully vaccinated are also much less likely to be contagious or transmit the virus to someone else,” said Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas. “The longer you wait to get vaccinated, the greater the risk of contracting COVID-19, and infecting a friend, loved one, or coworker.”
21,885 County residents have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to date. No serious adverse reactions have been reported.
Community members have the option to select the type of vaccine they would like to receive when making an appointment at myturn.ca.gov. The vaccine sites list the type of vaccine offered. Johnson and Johnson will now be a choice during the appointment process.
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