The number of new coronavirus cases on the Central and South Coasts continues to climb at a rate which has the region’s public health officials alarmed. Ventura County reported 265 additional cases Friday, Santa Barbara County 76, and San Luis Obispo County 66.
The growth in numbers has prompted warnings for Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. If the numbers remain high, those counties could be forced to move from the state's red, to the more restrictive purple reopening level as soon as next week. That could mean actions like new shutdowns for indoor service at restaurants.
Santa Barbara County health officials warn the county is not far behind its neighbors, and is also at risk for changing tiers.
The total number of cases in the three counties since the start of the pandemic now stands at 31,472. It includes 16,029 cases in Ventura County, 10,415 cases in Santa Barbara County, and 5038 in San Luis Obispo County.
There was one additional death reported in the region yesterday, coming in Ventura County. It brings the region’s total to 366.
