Ventura County releases list of communities with coronavirus cases

The number of cases of people infected with the new coronavirus in Ventura County has risen to 17, and officials have released a list of which communities have confirmed those cases.

According to the Ventura County Public Health Department, the cases of COVID-19 are located in the following areas:

Camarillo 4
Oxnard 3
Simi Valley 5
Thousand Oaks 2
Ventura 1
Santa Paula 1
Oak Park 1

Age Breakdown:

0-17 1
18-64 11
65+ 5

Los Angeles County health officials Thursday reported the county’s second death, with the total number of confirmed cases rising by 40 overnight to 230.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered Californians to stay at home, marking the first mandatory restrictions placed on the lives of all 40 million residents in the state’s fight against the novel coronavirus.

The governor’s action comes at a critical time in California, where more than 1,000 people have tested positive for the disease, and it appeared to be the most far-reaching directive of any issued by states battling the epidemic.

The mandatory order allows Californians to continue to visit gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, takeout and delivery restaurants, banks and laundromats. People can leave their homes to care for a relative or a friend or seek healthcare services.

It exempts workers in 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors, including food and agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, financial services and emergency response.

When it comes to the current restrictions, Ventura County law enforcement leaders said Friday, they will count on voluntary compliance but won’t tolerate criminal behavior.

“We have been asked what enforcement actions we would take to ensure compliance with the public health directions. Our stance is that we will respond to complaints from the public with the goal of gaining voluntary compliance.”

The joint statement by the county’s sheriff and chiefs said they understand the strain on business owners and their employees and the frustration over temporary restrictions. “It is our intention to work with business owners to ensure they are aware of and comply with the directions without the need for any enforcement action.”

But when it comes to scammers, price gougers or other fraudsters, the statement said, authorities will take immediate action to “bring those to justice.”

“Please be kind to each other and be patient when getting supplies at local stores,” Sheriff Bill Ayub said in the joint statement. “The shortages we are seeing are not as a result of supplies not being available. They are a result of a few people buying large quantities of certain items out of fear and greed. That only results in problems for your friends and neighbors who need to buy the same items you do.”