Ventura County Moves Into Purple Tier

Calabasas CA

17 November, 2020

8:58 PM

Description

OAK PARK, CA — Rising case rates have resulted in Ventura County being bumped back to the most restrictive Purple Tier 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. The county joined 40 others in California, including nearby Orange County, that have been downgraded to Tier 1 status due to sustained higher case rates and increased positive test rates over a two-week period. Before Newsom's announcement, only 13 counties, notably neighboring Los Angeles County, were in the purple. To determine tier placement, California currently uses two metrics: adjusted case rate, determined by new cases over a seven-day period adjusted for population, and positive test rates. As of Tuesday, Ventura County has an adjusted case rate of 13.3, well above the seven that marks the dividing line between Tiers 1 and 2. In the past week, Ventura County officials have reported 1,075 new cases, or 127 per 100,000 residents. Data shows that county has reported an average of 153.6 new cases per day, a 150.6% increase from two weeks ago. It is this surging case rate that likely resulted in the county's demotion, because its positive case rate is 4.5 percent, which would place it in the moderate Tier 3 category. But the state assigns tier rankings based on the highest rating, so one Tier 1-level ranking relegates Ventura County to the purple. The move is a tough blow for local businesses, which will now have to make a number of adjustments by midnight Tuesday. Tier 1 restrictions mean that restaurants, churches, gyms, movie theaters, and museums will once again only be allowed to operate outdoors. Malls and retail stores will now have to operate at no more than 25 percent. A full list of tier-based restrictions is available here. The state appears to be taking a slightly more lenient approach to schools. A number of school systems, including Simi Valley Unified, Moorpark Unified, Pleasant Valley, and Conejo Valley Unified, already reopened after the county was placed in the red tier in early October. According to a news release from the Ventura County Office of Education, schools that have already opened can continue in-person learning. Schools that have only reopened to certain grade levels will be able to continue to reopen for new grades even while the county is in the purple tier, however. Individual schools in those districts that have not reopened will need to wait until the county moves back into the Red Tier, which means 14 days of adjusted case rates and positive case rates remaining at or below required levels, to fully reopen. However, schools can request waivers to reopen grades TK-6, and all schools are permitted to hold in-person classes for English language learners or students with disabilities. According to Ventura County Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas, school openings do not appear to have had a dramatic impact on COVID cases. Vargas told the Ventura County Star that most school cases involve students and staff that are not on campus. Instead, Vargas blames the rise on gatherings like Halloween, and colder weather and shorter days that keep people indoors. Vargas urged people to avoid gatherings, wear masks, and observe social distancing. Related coverage: Orange County At Purple Tier, County CEO Positive For Coronavirus