The number of confirmed coronavirus cases on the Central and South Coasts has surged past the 6,000 mark. 647 new cases were reported in the region between Friday and Monday.
Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties are now both on a state watch list of 19 counties which don’t meet the states parameters for controlling the virus.
The spikes in the two counties prompted the state to call for them to close all of their bars and brewpubs, but left it up to county officials. Santa Barbara County announced bars will have to close as of Wednesday morning, unless they serve sit-down, dine-in meals.
Ventura County never allowed its bars to reopen as just bars. If they also serve food, they were allowed to reopen, and can keep their doors open. But as of Wednesday, the county's restaurants must close at 10 p.m., no live music is allowed, and people can only dine with members of their immediate households.
There are now 6167 confirmed coronavirus cases on the Central and South Coasts. Ventura County has 2704, an increase of 404 since Friday. Santa Barbara County is at 2896 cases, a hike of 184 cases in the last three days. San Luis Obispo County stands at 567 cases, 59 more than on Friday.
Santa Barbara County’s number includes about a thousand cases linked to the federal prison complex in Lompoc.
Santa Barbara County is also reporting its 29th death, bringing the region’s total to 75. There have been 45 in Ventura County, and one in San Luis Obispo County.
