Ventura County will close buildings to public as COVID-19 rates rise
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The County of Ventura will close its buildings to the public starting Wednesday as the latest wave of COVID-19 infections rises, officials said Saturday.
The move follows similar announcements by Oxnard and Ventura, where closures of most municipal facilities and suspension of many programs will start Monday.
Ventura County officials said they would close buildings for at least three weeks as a precautionary measure to slow spread of the coronavirus.
Starting Jan. 5, residents must make appointments in advance for in-person services. People are encouraged to use online services when possible via the county's website at ventura.org. Appointments can be made by calling 805-654-5000.
“More people are infectious and spreading the virus indoors,” said Dr. Robert Levin, the county's public health officer, in a statement. “Taking these steps— limiting close contacts, wearing a mask indoors to prevent getting infected and infecting others, isolating when symptomatic, testing and getting vaccinated — can reduce the likelihood of severe COVID affecting you, your family and community.”
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Friday's case tally showed 1,052 new coronavirus infections since Wednesday, while 109 residents were hospitalized with COVID-related symptoms. Of those, 18 were being treated in an intensive care unit, officials said. Hospitalizations had crept up since Wednesday, when 92 people were being treated in a hospital setting. The ICU figure remained steady from Wednesday to Friday.
The county typically releases COVID-19 numbers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, although the Christmas and New Year's holidays have impacted testing and reporting schedules.
The county's seven-day average case rate increased in Friday's report to 46 cases per 100,000 residents.
“The increase in cases is almost double our high during the summer delta surge,” said Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas in a statement.
Officials say the spike comes from holiday gatherings and arrival of the highly contagious omicron variant. Ventura County's first omicron case was confirmed on Dec. 10. Delta and omicron are names of two variants of the virus.
All 25 of the county's agencies will operate and provide services while building access is restricted. Agencies include health, social services, law enforcement, fire, public works and more.
Ventura County library branches will offer curbside services. Some functions, such as such as homework assistance, will continue virtually. Regular online offerings, including e-books and databases, will continue as usual. More information on library services is available at vencolibrary.org.
“Services will continue as we temporarily modify operations," said County Executive Officer Mike Powers in a statement. “I appreciate the dedicated service of our nearly 10,000 county employees as they continue to respond to the pandemic and carry on essential services without delay."
On Wednesday, before the New Year's holiday, Oxnard was the first local government to say it would close buildings to the public and suspend most in-person programs. Oxnard's closures start Monday and will last at least three weeks.
The next day, on Thursday, Ventura announced it would close public buildings and suspend many programs until at least Jan. 16. Ventura's closures also start Monday.
Only the county is offering in-person services by appointment during the closure.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County will close public buildings as COVID-19 rates rise
