News from around the Ojai Valley
March 29: Four deaths from COVID-19 in Ventura County; 109 tested positive — 2 in Ojai, 1 in Oak View
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- Published: Sunday, 29 March 2020 18:04
Four people in Ventura County have died from COVID-19, according to Ventura County Public Health, which also reported Sunday, March 29, that there are now 109 positive COVID-19 cases in Ventura County, up 11 from the day before. Twenty-six people with COVID-19 are hospitalized.
Two of the people who are confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 are in Ojai and one is in Oak View.
Ojai Unified School District students start Phase 2 of 'distance learning' plan on Monday, March 30
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- Published: Sunday, 29 March 2020 16:30

March 29: White House Coronavirus Task Force to hold press briefing at about 2:45 p.m.
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- Published: Sunday, 29 March 2020 14:11
The White House Coronavirus Task Force will hold a press briefing on Sunday, March 29, at about 2:30 p.m. It may be viewed at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
— Extending social-distancing guidelines to April 30 to slow the spread.
— Dr. Fauci: Decision to extend mitigation is wise and prudent
— Important statement to be made Tuesday evening (March 31) about diagnosing individuals and increasing testing.
— President Trump: Potentially 2.2 million Americans would die if no mitigation were done.
— Don't want numbers to spike up.
— New test announced that provides quick COVID-19 results.
— FDA allowing some experimental treatments.
— Looking for new ways to sterilize masks.
— By June 1, well on our way to recovery.
— Humana, Cigna waive co-pay health bills
Cleaning and disinfecting tips from the Centers for Disease Control
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 17:19

Official COVID-19 information sites
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 17:07
Local doctors ask community members to stay home to save lives: 'We are going to experience a surge here in Ventura County'
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 16:13



Here's what we all need to understand: this virus is dangerous. For many of us — including younger people who are indeed contracting the virus at a high rate — coronavirus will feel like a bad flu. With luck, rest, and fluids, one could ride out the fever, cough, and body aches and start to improve over a period of weeks. However, if our experience in Ventura County is similar to other areas, up to 20% of confirmed cases will have a different experience.
March 28: State officials announce latest COVID-19 facts: 4,643 positive cases, 101 deaths in California
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 14:50
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health today announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California now has 4,643 confirmed cases. For more information on COVID-19 and California's response visit the California Department of Public Health website.
All our articles on COVID-19 are provided free. Please consider supporting local reporting by subscribing to the Ojai Valley News. To subscribe, call 805-646-1476 or visit
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Dr. Sevet Johnson, Ventura County Behavioral Health director, gives advice on coping with COVID-19 physical distancing
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:32

Ojai public schools start Phase 2 of new 'distance learning' plan on Monday, March 30
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- Published: Saturday, 28 March 2020 01:03

Read more: Ojai public schools start Phase 2 of new 'distance learning' plan on Monday, March 30
Nordhoff High students to receive online registration form link on Monday, March 30, including an appeal option to add a course to reduced schedule for 2020-21
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 23:54

To review the “Phase 2 Overview for Parents” emailed on Friday, March 27, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10gSB9NTMM3tWt5BGcXFFLIBYncXMKe7d/view
Nordhoff High School students will receive a link on Monday, March 30, to an Online Registration Form to register for next year’s classes.
Some Ventura County recreation sites restricted; Ojai trails open, but social distancing necessary
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 21:24
With stay-at-home orders, more people than ever are heading outdoors.
March 27: Ojai city officials give Friday update — trails remain open, Ojai Farmers' Market remains open with additional precautions in place
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 17:57
Ojai city officials sent an email to area residents on Friday, March 27, with the following updates regarding COVID-19:Ojai Unified school board to meet via teleconference April 1, from 5:15 to 7 p.m.: links for public to join in via Facebook and YouTube
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 17:46
Ojai Unified School District school board will meet via teleconference on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:15 to 7 p.m., with the public to participate via YouTube or Facebook.
To view the agenda and see the links for the public to participate by listening and providing public comments, visit:
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/637191/April_1__2020_Agenda.pdf
OR
Join the Meeting via District Facebook at:
To make a public comment that “will be read verbatim as written on the live video feed”:
March 27: Ojai city officials send information list to area residents
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 16:48
Screen shot of Ojai City Manager James, Vega, left, and Ojai Police Chief Jose Rivera in a video, discussing the state and Ventura County Public Health's stay at home orders.
The city of Ojai has sent out a text message to Ojai residents with COVID-19 information and links to helpful sites for health, business, resources and more. To see it, visit:
Ojai Valley Community Hospital seeks donations of COVID-19 medical supplies; drop-off center at OVCH Foundation Office, 1301 Maricopa Hwy., Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 16:24
Ojai Valley Community Hospital — a Community Memorial Health System Hospital — anticipates possible shortages of supplies and personal protective equipment needed to protect patients, physicians and staff. It is, therefore, asking people to donate the following needed items only: March 27: Gov. Newsom issues statwide ban on evicting renters affected by the coronavirus
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 15:16
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide executive order banning evictions for renters affected by the coronavirus can be read at:
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Friday, March 27: White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing just before 3 p.m.
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 15:01
The White House Coronavirus Task Force started a press briefing on Friday, March 27, just before 3 p.m.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/fbclid=IwAR00mfIM1ht8NDF75l6M_Q4XsVqwwwb2Cr9pwqPrvbnCSGJwv9VeF6odI48
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Truck leaves roadway, damages garage in Meiners Oaks
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 14:42


Ojai Valley News photos by Perry Van Houten
Leaning in during lean times: Ojai businesses rally
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 11:03

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Read more: Leaning in during lean times: Ojai businesses rally
City budget hit hard
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 10:49
Six neglected donkeys find love, shelter at The Little Farm in Ojai
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 10:43

Maynard to head VC emergency services
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 10:21

HELP of Ojai delivers more food than ever to seniors and the needy
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 10:13

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Read more: HELP of Ojai delivers more food than ever to seniors and the needy
Casitas declares COVID-19 state of emergency
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 09:54
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OUSD serves students food to go at schools
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 09:47

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County helps Ojai homeless residents find shelter
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 09:39
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Read more: County helps Ojai homeless residents find shelter
County supervisors authorize up to $4 million for COVID-19 response
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 09:33
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UPDATED LIST: Ojai restaurants are open for business
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- Published: Friday, 27 March 2020 09:10

Read more: UPDATED LIST: Ojai restaurants are open for business
Thursday, March 26: 61 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ventura County; 2 in Ojai
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- Published: Thursday, 26 March 2020 18:52

Ventura County Public Health reported there are 61 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ventura County as of Thursday, March 26, with 15 people hospitalized, and one person in his or her 70s who died from COVID-19 on March 22.
The number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Ventura County is 11 more than reported Wednesday. A total of 1,288 tests have been completed at public and private labs in the county.
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Read more: Thursday, March 26: 61 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ventura County; 2 in Ojai
Police blotter as of March 25, 2020
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- Published: Thursday, 26 March 2020 09:35
Low snow expected March 25
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 15:05

California governor gives press briefing on COVID-19 on March 25
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 13:28
Gov. Gavin Newsom gives press briefing on Wednesday, March 25, starting around 1 p.m.
Start at 4-minute time stamp. It can be viewed at:
All our articles on COVID-19 are provided free. Please consider supporting local reporting by subscribing to the Ojai Valley News. To subscribe, call 805-646-1476 or visit
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Ojai’s Dr. Jim Halverson gives updates on how Ojai Valley doctors are taking care of their patients as world deals with COVID-19
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 12:26

By Marianne Ratcliff, Ojai Valley News editor
March 23: County CEO Mike Powers: 'The surge of the coronavirus is upon us.... These next two, three weeks are going to be some of the most important in our lives.'
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 00:29
County CEO Mike Powers spoke in a video broadcast on March 23:All our articles on COVID-19 are provided free. Please consider supporting local reporting by subscribing to the Ojai Valley News. To subscribe, call 805-646-1476 or visit
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March 23: Dr. John Fankhauser — 'This is a time to really take the spread of this virus very seriously and do what you can to protect our community'
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- Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 23:37
Dr. John Fankhauser, CEO of Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital, in a videotaped message, speaks about how he served in West Africa during the Ebola crisis. He says: "We are entering a pandemic that none of us has seen before in our lifetime":All our articles on COVID-19 are provided free. Please consider supporting local reporting by subscribing to the Ojai Valley News. To subscribe, call 805-646-1476 or visit
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Tuesday, March 24: White House COVID-19 Task Force held press briefing
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- Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 14:17
The White House Coronavirus Task Force held a press briefing on Tuesday, March 24, at 2:30 p.m.
To view the recorded briefing from the start, move the time stamp to 44 minutes into the recording:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
All our articles on COVID-19 are provided free. Please consider supporting local reporting by subscribing to the Ojai Valley News. To subscribe, call 805-646-1476 or visit
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Thank you for your support!
Tuesday, March 24: Ventura County Board of Supervisors held emergency meeting to discuss COVID-19 issues related to county governance
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- Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 11:24

https://ventura.granicus.com/player/clip/5405?view_id=67
Discussion of policies regarding:
Ojai students receive enrichment activities, meals and counseling from Ojai Unified School District
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- Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 09:51
While schools are closed, Ojai Unified School District is rolling out plans to ensure learning continues. One Ventura County school superintendent described the task as similar to trying to build an airplane in midair.
OUSD is also providing lunch and breakfast to be picked up on Wednesday, March 25, and Friday, March 27, this week at each school site, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and mental health counseling to students and appointments can be made by clicking on this website: The district is also providing online mental health counseling for students. The OUSD website — https://www.ojaiusd.org/o/Ojai%20Unified%20School%20District/page/mental-health-and-wellness — has a link to a page on “mental health and wellness,” providing a way for students to schedule online mental health counseling.
March 23: Urgent call for businesses, agencies, individuals to donate protective gear to Ventura County medical providers and other first-responders
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 23:57
Ventura County government is encouraging the public, businesses and organizations to donate new, unused personal protective equipment to assist health care providers, health care facilities and first responders responding to the novel coronavirus.
Ojai Police Chief Jose Rivera and City Manager James Vega explain in video Public Health's Stay Well at Home Order
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 23:20
Ojai Police Chief Jose Rivera and Ojai City Manager James Vega explained in a video broadcast released on Monday, March 23, what the Ventura County Public Health Stay Well At Home Order means for Ojai residents.
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County supervisors to hear reports on COVID-19 Tuesday
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 13:39
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Updated list of restaurants open for takeout and delivery in the Ojai Valley March 23
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 12:44
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Read more: Updated list of restaurants open for takeout and delivery in the Ojai Valley March 23
Ojai City Council to meet via teleconference Tuesday March 24
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 12:29
Community Memorial Hospital advises what people should do if they feel they need to be tested for COVID-19
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- Published: Monday, 23 March 2020 10:25
Community Memorial Health System, which has hospitals in Ojai and Ventura, provides advice on its website to the question:
"What should I do if I think I need to be tested for COVID-19?
To view this information on the CMHS website, visit https://www.cmhshealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19/
BREAKING NEWS March 22: First Ventura County resident dies from COVID-19; first Ojai resident reported positive for COVID-19; 30 confirmed cases in Ventura County
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- Published: Sunday, 22 March 2020 17:59
The first reported death from COVID-19 in Ventura County was reported the evening of March 22.
Ventura County Public Health also reported the first confirmed positive COVID-19 case in Ojai and four new cases since March 22, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in Ventura County to 30.
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