Ventura County health officials urge masks, vaccines


With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continuing to rise as a result of the transmissible Delta variant, Ventura County Public Health officials are urging everyone that is eligible to get vaccinated and strongly recommends that everyone wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status.

The vaccines have been effective in keeping local hospitalizations and deaths lower than previous surges, VCPH said in an recent statement.

Vaccination can be obtained at local doctors’ offices, community clinics and pharmacies.

Several of the sites, including mobile clinics, offer walk-in options with on-site registration assistance. Go to vcrecovers.org/ vaccine for a listing of vaccination sites and hours of operation.

Given that the Delta variant is believed to be causing most of the new cases in Ventura County, and given the increase in cases among the fully vaccinated, public health officials strongly advise that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, use face masks while indoors in public spaces.

Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses including retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, and state and local government offices serving the public, among others.

Ventura County is aligned with the California Department of Public Health’s masking guidance but does not have a mandate like in Los Angeles County.

The state still requires that all individuals wear masks in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:

On public transit including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis and rideshares, and in transportation hubs including airports, bus terminals, marinas, train stations, seaports and subway stations.

Indoors in K-12 schools and child care settings.

Emergency shelters, cooling centers and healthcare settings.

State and local correctional facilities and detention centers.

Homeless shelters.

Long-term care settings and adult and senior care facilities.

Testing for COVID-19 is recommended for anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has had close contact with a known or suspected case, regardless of vaccination status.

Go to vcrecovers.org/testing for info on testing and test sites.