On Sept. 30, 2020, the County of Ventura held a press conference to announce that the county would be moving into the red tier as long as the county continues to have outstanding numbers in regards to coronavirus cases for one more week, which would be Oct. 6, 2020. Ventura County can move to the red tier as long as it maintains or does not exceed the seven maximum number of cases per 100,000 residents.

The purple tier that Ventura County is moving from is for counties that have widespread cases. Many non-essential indoor business operations are closed and there are more than seven daily new cases per 100k. There are also more than 8% positive tests.

Now in contrast with the purple tier, the red tier that Ventura County will move in means it is substantial. Some non-essential indoor business operations are closed. There are 4-7 daily new cases per 100k with 5-8% positive tests. After the red tier there are just two more tiers to move forward to.

Supervisor Kelly Long from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of moving into the red tier. Long explained that if those numbers are hit, it will take 14 days for schools in Ventura County to be able to have in person teaching on Oct. 21, 2020, depending on each school district.

“We are working very hard with our public health director and our Ventura County Office of Education to make sure that they have all the information they need and ask any questions so that their teachers, students and staff can open up in a safe manner to make sure that COVID-19 is not spreading and educating is continuing,” Long explains.

The Director for the Ventura County Public Health Department, Rigoberto Vargas, explained what it means to be going into the red tier and what Ventura County needs to do to keep moving forward. Vargas showed several slides with data metrics and mentioned that The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Community Monitoring List is the first time Ventura County is showing this metrics data to its residents.

Vargas says that Ventura County’s positivity rate is an outstanding positivity rate among the lowest of many counties. The positivity rate of 3.6 alone can place Ventura County in a third tier. Vargas calls for the cooperation of Ventura County residents to be able to keep moving tiers.

“We need everyone’s support and attention to that order and the states order because again we are moving in the right direction into the next tier but there’s two additional tiers after that, we want to get to that safely but quickly as well,” Vargas said.

The county comparison Blueprint for a Safer Economy chart, shows Ventura County compared to surrounding communities, mostly Southern California. In ranking order of testing rate, Ventura ranks second when it comes to ranking based on its testing rate at 282.7.

Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers talked about some of the numbers Vargas referenced. Powers mentioned that Ventura County’s testing volume is very high and strong. The county has very low hospitalizations. However, being close to the red tier does not mean Ventura County should let their guard down.

“We need to stay focused, some counties get to this first week and don’t make it to the second week, that is what we are trying to avoid here, we know with your support we will do that,” Powers explains.

To learn more about Ventura County’s effort to reopen, visit venturacountyrecovers.org.