On Wednesday, March 17, the weekly COVID-19 press conference was held in Downtown Ventura. The meeting began with District 1 Supervisor, Matt Lavere, delivering good news to the county.

“We are here to share good news about vaccinations,” Lavere stated. Our county has given out 280,000 administered vaccinations, which is 29 percent of our population that has been vaccinated. That is close to 2,000 individuals in our community who have received the first dose of vaccines.”

Lavere also explained that declining positivity and hospitalization rates helped Ventura County reach the red tier.

Hopefully Ventura County will reach the orange tier within these next three weeks, which would mean opening up more and more.

Local businesses are now approved to have indoor and outdoor dining.

While following safety protocols and getting vaccinated on time helps lift this pandemic to have a positive outcome in this community, there are still individuals who have been severely impacted.

According to Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas, “It has been really hard for small children (K-12), working class, owners of a business, seniors and everyone else who has been affected.”

It is important to continue to follow safety protocols such as washing hands frequently, wearing a mask and avoiding large crowds to continue bringing the numbers down and re-open more businesses.

As of March 17, there are 97 new COVID-19 cases. With that being said, 6,000 of Ventura County residents received tests within this last week. The hospitals have 53 new cases, of which 18 of those cases need intensive care.

“A reminder that COVID-19 is still present in Ventura County and that loved ones are getting the care they need,” Vargas verified.

Unfortunately, there’s three new reported COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number to 937 Ventura County residents.

Furthermore, schools are allowed to reopen and students can return to school very soon, with conditions such as meeting only once a week in class for fewer hours than the standard 6-hour school day.

Businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms and movie theaters can successfully start opening again along with several other sectors.

“For the past year our business community has suffered through closures, limited openings, adding safety precautions and adding cleaning and sanitizing to a daily routine,” President and C.E.O of Ventura Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Caldwell explained.

Businesses have prioritized reducing in-person contact engagements by offering curbside pick up.

Jason Collis with the non-profit global organization, “World Central Kitchen” announced that, “36 million meals have been served nationwide and one million total in Ventura County”.

The delivery process had over 40 local drivers to deliver these meals to seniors in need.

From supporting vendors to produce companies, that’s over 110 million dollars being put into our local economy.

“This organization was happy to partner with government agencies and help serve the people,” Collis stated. This program was successful in supporting and hiring local contractors who had lost their job.

Local business owner Shanon Rice at Pierno’s restaurant gave her thanks to the community during the press conference as well.

“We would not be here today without the support of our community and opportunity to work with World Central Kitchen,” stated Rice. “As a new business in the industry, struggling to make that work on its own… we work tirelessly to make ends meet.”

In light of businesses opening and recovering from difficult times, the Ventura City Council has voted to extend the Downtown Ventura Main Street permit through January 2022.

As of today, there are seven high volume sites, 15 pharmacy partners and 15 mobile teams to help administer vaccines.

According to County Executive Officer Mike Powers, “There will be an additional site added in Santa Paula”.

For the safety of the community, there will be availability to receive the vaccine only from the county you live in.

“Thank you and congratulations to the Ventura County community for all you’ve done to get us to this point,” Powers said.

Vaccine appointments are released every Monday at 7 a.m. at Ventura County Recovers or call at 805-477-7161.