Tag: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Bars and similar establishments that serve food can remain open in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2020 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura Public Health Department announced today that brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries and distilleries that serve food can remain open in compliance with the State’s guidance released this weekend. The bars that would have been subject to the State recommended closures were never reopened in Ventura County due to concerns about social distancing implementation. Establishments and customers must continue to be vigilant in following all safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Community spread of infection is of increasing concern across the State and in Ventura County. It is imperative that community members only gather with members of their household remain socially distanced and wear masks in public spaces,” said Public Health Director Rigo Vargas.

Economic Development Collaborative — COVID19 Resources for Business- PPP, EIDL and Business Grants for Ventura County

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2020 • Comments Off

COVID19 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
If you are still looking for capital, don’t miss these opportunities for assistance!

VENTURA COUNTY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The County of Ventura has created a COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program to provide grants of $5,000 awarded to small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in Ventura County to alleviate impacts from COVID-19.

If you wish to apply, please have the following documents handy:

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 25 — 4th of July: Gatherings are still not permitted by the State of California.

by Community Contributor • June 25, 2020 • Comments Off

4th of July: Gatherings are still not permitted by the State of California. Please hold off on BBQs and celebrations with extended friends and family. Community members can only gather with members of their household at this time. Let’s work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that we can get back to enjoying these pastimes.

Museum of Ventura County — A Message to the MVC Community

by Community Contributor • June 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Wednesday, July 1ST
11:00AM – 12:00PM

I’ll be discussing what we have done so far in response to the health crisis, what our current status is, and what our plans are for re-opening. I’d also like to take this opportunity to discuss with you how the Museum of Ventura County can best continue to meet current and future community needs, particularly in light of the global civil unrest and its regional manifestations and impacts.
?
Elena Brokaw
The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 24 — People in California are now required to wear masks when they are in public and unable to keep 6 feet distance from others

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Masks: People in California are now required to wear masks when they are in public and unable to keep 6 feet distance from others. Read more at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 23 — Ventura County Business Assistance Grant Program

by Community Contributor • June 23, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Business Assistance Grant Program applications launch June 24-July 8, 2020. The program includes grants of $5,000 for small businesses to alleviate impacts from COVID-19. Learn more at www.vcreopens.com.

State Sen. Jackson Bill to Require Backup Power for Nursing Homes Passes Senate Floor

by Community Contributor • June 23, 2020 • Comments Off

As California faces another wildfire season and potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 1207 to require California nursing homes to have backup power for at least 96 hours during an emergency passed off the Senate floor yesterday on a 36 to 0 vote. The bill now moves to the Assembly.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — State-Wide Face Covering Mandate & Some Detail on Recent Covid Cases

by Community Contributor • June 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Governor Newsom (on June 18) announced that face coverings are required to be worn State-wide in the circumstances outlined in the State guidance. It does not substitute for existing guidance about social distancing and handwashing.

Additionally, our Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer has put a pause on further reopening of personal care services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, businesses offering facials, electrolysis, and waxing, etc.

Despite these significant acts of warranted precaution, we are seeing that the majority of active cases in Santa Barbara County are regional in nature. During the Public Health Department presentation to the Board of Supervisors this week, we learned more about why so many of our cases have been in North County, versus a much smaller amount of cases in South County (34 cases total).

Ventura County Public Health Department Issues Guidance for Reopening Additional Sectors

by Community Contributor • June 18, 2020 • Comments Off

As Ventura County’s hospitalized COVD-19 cases have stabilized, the Ventura County Public Health Officer has issued new guidance permitting the reopening of additional businesses that were previously closed. Sectors that may reopen with modifications, social distancing protocols, and completion of the attestation process include, but are not limited to:

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 18 — Ventura County Business Assistance Grant Program

by Community Contributor • June 18, 2020 • Comments Off

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 15 — Food Share Pop-up Sites

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2020 • Comments Off

Food Share Pop-up Sites
6/15 3 pm Ventura County Fairgrounds 1- W. Harbor Blvd
6/16 5 pm El Rio, Rio Mesa High School, 545 Central Ave
6/17 3pm Oxnard, College Park, 3250 South Rose Ave
6/18 3 pm Thousand Oaks, Conejo Creek South, 1300 E. Janns Road
6/19 3 pm, Santa Paula, Harding Park, 1330 E. Harvard Blvd
6/20/20 12:30 pm Moorpark, Ruben Castro Charities, 5700 Condor Drive

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health Department issues modified health order Allows for reopening of additional sectors

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Health Department has issued a modified health order permitting the reopening of additional businesses that were previously closed. This Order will be effective June 11, 2020 11:59 pm and will continue to be in effect until extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Public Health Officer.

Sectors that may reopen on Friday, June 12 with modifications, social distancing protocols, and completion of the attestation process include, but are not limited to:

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 12 — Farmworker Resource Program

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Farmworker Resource Program: Special thanks to Oak Park High School and community member Olde Thompson for their generosity in donating to our local Farmworkers! Learn more about the Farmworker Resource Program at https://cdn.ventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Flyer_English_web.pdf. Learn about ways to donate at https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/Farmworker_Resource_Program_Donation_Flyer_v3.pdf.

Museum of Ventura County — New MVC Insider + Albinger Archaeological Museum Virtual Tour and more!

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

PLANS FOR RE-OPENING
While all sites are still closed to the public, MVC is preparing to re-open with limited, members-only hours, in mid-July, expanding to the general public in August.

Thank you to all of you who completed our online survey. Your responses are critical in developing our re-opening plans. Our first priority upon re-opening will be the safety of guests and staff. We will have more information about what to expect when you visit the museum in the next e-blast.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 11 — COVID-19 drive through testing sites

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

COVID-19 drive through testing sites are located at:
Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Rd., Ventura CA 93003
Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Dr., Santa Paula, CA 93060
NEW LOCATION: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard, CA 93033 (Fri-Tue)
No appointment or insurance is needed.
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 10 am to 7 pm.
No cost.
You simply drive up and get tested while seated in your vehicle.
www.vcemergency.com

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 10 — Ventura County Pandemic Rental Assistance Program

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Pandemic Rental Assistance (VCPRA) program may provide temporary rental assistance for Ventura County residents with very low incomes who owe past-due rent because of a hardship due to COVID-19. Online applications will be accepted June 17 – July 1, 2020. Learn more at www.vcemergency.com/rent.

CSUCI History students record personal stories during a pandemic in “plague journals”

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2020 • Comments Off

“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both” —C. Wright Mills, American Sociologist CAMARILLO — “During that first two weeks I walked around in circles uncertain of what to do…

Ventura County awarded highest credit ratings despite impacts of COVID-19 Refinancing results in major savings

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2020 • Comments Off

The nation’s two top credit ratings firms – Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s – have awarded the County with their highest short-term rating and reaffirmed its triple A long-term credit rating – the highest possible rating. These ratings will enable the County to refinance and borrow funds at lower interest rates to fund critical needs, saving substantial taxpayer resources over time.

The high credit rating allowed for the County to refinance the Ventura County Medical Center Hospital Replacement Wing Bond on June 3 at a lower rate. This will save approximately $2 million annually in debt service payments resulting in $34 million net present value savings.

County prepares $20 million grant program to assist businesses and renters

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

In an effort to assist businesses and residents, the County of Ventura’s CEO’s Office is finalizing a $20 million Economic Stabilization and Recovery Program aimed at providing relief to businesses and families by utilizing funding from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. These programs will launch on June 17. Residents and business owners can subscribe for updates at www.vcreopens.com to be informed when applications become available.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 4

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

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

26 new cases

1,216 total cases

884 new tests

30,025 total tests

952 recovered cases

21 hospitalized

8 in the ICU

35 deaths

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 3

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2020 • Comments Off

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

26 new cases

774 new tests

1,190 total cases

924 recovered cases

19 currently hospitalized

11 in the ICU

29, 141 total people tested

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Significant Testing Capacity Available & Business Reopening Webinar

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Yesterday, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department provided an update to the Board of Supervisors on COVID-19. Despite the reopening of more businesses and people out and about at the beach and downtown, our indicators have remained well within the guidelines set by the State. In fact, we have seen a 27% reduction of active cases. However, we need more people to take advantage of our increased testing capability. Many of you emailed me about procuring a greater amount of testing and now we ask that you please use it! I know many of you were not utilizing our local testing sites because you wanted to make sure they were available for healthcare workers, and other essential workers, but now there seems to be testing capacity for everyone who is interested. Please see more information on testing below:

Online appointment registration: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 2

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

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

12 new cases

401 new tests

886 recovered

1,164 total cases

28,367 total tests

19 hospitalized

11 current ICU

244 active quarantine

34 deaths

Guest contribution: Love in the Time of COVID-19 Calls for “Minimony” Weddings by Santa Barbara’s Weddings by the Sea

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

Planning a wedding is a big deal, no matter the size of the event, the location or budget. After all, it’s one of the most important days in the lives of couples everywhere. A great deal of time, care and thought goes into creating a memorable event months ahead of tying the knot. Right now, millions of couples are reeling from the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on their “Big Day.” Imagine the frustration of realizing that your celebration is frozen in suspended animation due to travel and social distancing restrictions, hotel, event venue and honeymoon destination closures, lost deposits, and worst of all, not knowing if the date you set will actually be the official day you’ll share your marriage ceremony with loved ones. Catherine Forester, an officiant and owner of Weddings by the Sea in Santa Barbara, understands the emotional turmoil couples are suffering. She has developed a practical solution to stop coronavirus from defeating happiness.

Ventura County Public Health Issues Visitation Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities

by Community Contributor • June 1, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Public Health Officer has issued visitation guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF). For more than two months residents of the facilities have not been able to have visits from friends and family members to protect these seniors from COVID-19 infection. These residents have missed special visits with their loved ones and the following guidance will allow for facilities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for these residents.

Bilingual report — STAY WELL VC Order – Safely Reopening Ventura County Effective May 29

by Community Contributor • May 29, 2020 • Comments Off

This Order issued by the Ventura County Health Officer shall become effective at 11:59 p.m. on May 29, 2020. At that time, all current Orders of the Ventura County Health Officer shall expire and no longer be of any force or effect, except any and all prior violations of the previous orders remain prosecutable, criminally or civilly. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 120295 et seq., violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.

County of Ventura Board of Supervisors Approves $20 Million Economic Stabilization and Recovery Programs

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2020 • Comments Off

Programs Aim to Provide Relief to Ventura County Businesses and Families VENTURA — The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for County staff to finalize a $20 million Economic Stabilization and Recovery Program aimed at providing relief to Ventura County…

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 28

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2020 • Comments Off

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

24 new cases

1,062 total cases

796 recovered cases 20 currently hospitalized

12 in the ICU

234 under quarantine

32 deaths

23,389 people tested

www.vcemergency.com

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — State Action on Salons, Religious Services, and Graduations – With Restrictions

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Yesterday, in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a revised Health Officer Order which provides updated guidance for places of worship and providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, hair salons, and barbershops.The Order states that:

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 27

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Residents who visit Ventura County Harbor Department-managed beaches and parks will have improved recreational opportunities and be able sit and lounge while practicing social distancing guidelines.

Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval said the County is pleased to ease some of the soft closure restrictions –limiting beach and park access to physical activity – put in place in April 2020. The soft closure restrictions will be removed at Kiddie, Silver Strand, and Hollywood beaches and at the Harbor parks, including Peninsula and Harbor View.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 26

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

Resources

COVID-19 Testing: Information is attached and included at www.vcemergency.com.
Food: http://foodshare.com/covid19/
Senior Services: https://www.vcaaa.org/covid-19/
Unemployment assistance: https://www.vcemergency.com/resources
Business resources: https://edcollaborative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EDC-COVID19-BUSINESS-RESOURCE-GUIDE.pdf
Wellness: https://www.wellnesseveryday.org/coping-during-coronavirus
Coping with stress: https://habits.vcbh.org/
Support resources: https://www.ventura.org/departments/hsa/community-events/coronavirus-remote-resources/remote-resources-during-coronavirus/
Frequently asked questions about the Stay Well VC Order:https://www.vcemergency.com/staywellvc/faqs-general

Section 8 Voucher Program Provides Ray of Hope in Bleak Time

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

As America battles COVID-19, low-income individuals, families, seniors and those with special needs – people considered our most vulnerable citizens – are bearing the brunt of the ensuing economic fallout. The trickle-down effect of unemployment, standing at more than 14.7 % or 36.5 million workers applying for unemployment benefits over the last two months, directly impacts tenants who can’t pay full rent and landlords, many of which have mortgages on their rental properties. This negative trend is hitting home right now in Santa Barbara and elsewhere.

Hair Salons and Barbershops Permitted to Reopen

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2020 • Comments Off

The Governor announced today that hair salons and barbershops in most California counties can reopen as the state moves forward on the path to reopening. The County of Ventura was approved for a state variance last week allowing the County to move faster through California’s reopening phases. This allows for local hair salons and barbershops to reopen.

700,000 Masks Being Distributed to Agricultural Community in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, and the California Departments of Food and Agriculture, and Pesticide Regulations together have provided over 700,000 facemasks to help provide protection to farmworkers and other agricultural operations. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has been reaching out to growers, farm labor contractors, packer/shippers and pest control businesses to make arrangement to distribute masks from the Commissioner’s offices in Camarillo and Santa Paula.

COVID-19 Case Rate and California’s Diversity — Patterns in Coronavirus Exposure

by Community Contributor • May 22, 2020 • Comments Off

Every case of COVID-19 is the result of someone having been exposed to the coronavirus. Here in California, as elsewhere, different people experience different exposures to the virus. Some individuals and families—those with work that can be done remotely, robust health insurance, and relatively easy access to a physician—have been able to reduce their coronavirus exposure by sheltering at home for the past eight weeks.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Late Stage 2 Businesses Can Now Open; State Just Approved Our County Attestation

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

I am very pleased to announce the State Department of Public Health approved Santa Barbara County’s attestation to move further into Stage 2, which allows in-dining restaurants and retail stores to open as long as they follow safety guidance provided by the state and complete a self-certification of safe practices. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued this Health Officer Order, which provides local guidance.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 21

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 Update from the County of Ventura. 25 new cases 883 total cases 680 recovered cases 21 hospitalized 12 ICU 174 under quarantine 29 deaths 18,673 people tested www.vcemergency.com Business Information: www.vcreopens.com…

County of Ventura Approved by State for Accelerated Reopening

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

Largest County in the State to be approved VENTURA — The County of Ventura is the first and largest Southern California County to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to move forward on an accelerated Stage…

UCSB — The Current — (COVID-19) Sewage Surveillance

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2020 • Comments Off

May 21, 2020 Top News Sewage Surveillance Researchers are developing methods to monitor the COVID-19 virus through the community’s wastewater. Read More ? A Boon to Research Four graduate students have been awarded Fulbright Fellowships to pursue projects abroad. Read…

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 20

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2020 • Comments Off

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

21 new cases

858 total cases

661 recovered cases

28 hospitalized

13 in the ICU

168 under quarantine

29 deaths

17,962 people tested

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Expedited Reopening for Certain Businesses Coming Soon

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced changes to his criteria for counties to be able to move more quickly through Stage 2 of his reopening plan (although no counties can move past Stage 2 into Stage 3 until the Governor authorizes that action) and today, our Public Health Director is sending in our attestation that Santa Barbara County meets the criteria.

The new criteria is as follows:

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 19 — COVID-19 Response Information: Testing

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Testing: The County of Ventura has expanded testing throughout the county for residents who have the slightest suspicion of having COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with it. You will not be charged for the test, and you don’t need to have health insurance. You may be asked for insurance information if you have it. Three new drive up testing sites will be open Wednesday. 1) Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura 2) Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. Moorpark 3) Ford Dealership 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula. More information about the state testing sites and county clinics can be found in the attached pdf and at www.vcemergency.com.

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Asistencia para inmigrantes impactados con el COVID 19

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2020 • Comments Off

Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard — Asistencia para inmigrantes impactados con el COVID 19

CSUCI prepares for pandemic’s disproportionate impact on Latinx community

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2020 • Comments Off

Lessons from the Great Recession suggest that as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the rules of the marketplace will have changed, and the impact will fall disproportionately on the Latinx community.

Circumstances many Latinx students faced when the pandemic hit may discourage them from staying in school when in fact, getting that college degree has never been more important.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More Testing and a Guide for Reopening

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2020 • Comments Off

Despite a large increase in the amount of testing, COVID-19 infections continue to be modest. During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors hearing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Director presented the above graph, which indicates that new cases have continued to decline if you exclude the cases from the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. At the Board of Supervisors meeting this coming Tuesday, the Board will receive a presentation on the Reopening In Safe Environment (RISE) Guide, which builds off of the guidance from the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap but also provides local guidance and best practices for industry sectors as developed by an expert panel.

VCCCD Celebrates Class of 2020 Graduates

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2020 • Comments Off

With the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, this year’s graduates of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges have had to adjust to the fact that in-person graduation ceremonies have been canceled. Recognizing the impact of this change for students who have worked hard to achieve their goals, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) leadership collaborated with its three colleges to celebrate the 5,146 students in the class of 2020 who have earned their degrees or certificates.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 14 — Reopening Ventura County

by Community Contributor • May 14, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your daily COVID-19 Update from the County of Ventura.

23 new cases

748 total cases

488 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

12 in the ICU

235 under quarantine

25 deaths

14,971 tested

Bilingual commentary — Inviting the Enemy

by Community Contributor • May 14, 2020 • Comments Off

As we go about our communities stifled by the coronavirus, we see people who are behaving as if nothing different is happening in the world. No masks, no social distancing, and anyone who doesn’t like it—too bad. They demand a certain degree of “normalcy” in their lives, which under ordinary circumstances would have some psychological benefit.

County of Ventura Public Health Department Provides Dental Guidance

by Community Contributor • May 14, 2020 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura Public Health Department has issued dental guidance for dentists in the County of Ventura. Dentists are required to follow the steps to register their business at www.vcreopens.com.