Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) officials discussed the state’s COVID-19 vaccine scarcity and the percentage of healthcare workers refusing immunization during Friday’s press conference.
PHD Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso stated the county’s vaccine allocation is approximately 1.22% of its population, although Santa Barbara County is receiving more vaccine per capita than Ventura and Los Angeles counties. She stated there is a “vaccine scarcity” statewide and no county is receiving enough of the vaccine.
Phase one of the vaccine distribution prioritizes healthcare workers, approximately 26,000 in the county, and people over the age of 75, approximately 36,000. PHD estimates the county receives about 6,000 vaccine doses each week for both first and second doses, making it approximately 12 weeks or longer to complete the first phase.
PHD Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg stated the good news is they have noticed supply to the county is slowly increasing while Marian Regional Medical has been also been receiving additional vaccines as they’re under a direct federal contract.
“Please bear with us,” Dr. Ansorg said, urging the community to be patient as they wait for more vaccine supply so they can offer more appointments and open up to the next phase which includes people over 65 years of age and education/food industry workers. Approximately 100,000 doses will be needed if only 60% of people in the next phase accept the vaccine.
On top of the limited supply of vaccine, Dr. Ansorg stated only 50% of healthcare workers have accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, the majority of those declining work in skilled nursing facilities. Only 30% of nursing home staff within the county have accepted the vaccine while 80% of Cottage Health staff have been vaccinated, he said.
The majority of COVID-19-related deaths within the county are people aged 70 and older and living in congregate care settings.
Dr. Ansorg cited misinformation and hoaxes being spread on social media as one of the main reasons for vaccine refusal. Specifically, the false statement that the COVID-19 vaccine will cause sterility making it impossible for people to conceive children. “This is a complete hoax,” said Dr. Ansorg.
He also said there appears to be a high percentage of vaccine hesitancy in the Latinx population and described it as a cultural phenomenon where minority groups have a history of mistrust in the government.
Dr. Do-Reynoso stated PHD is working with community partners on education campaigns to address these concerns and they will be hosting a town hall next week for community members to directly ask the experts.
Additional Sheriff Staff and Inmates Test COVID-19 Positive
The Sheriff’s Office is reporting five additional staff and nine additional inmates as being COVID-19 positive. One member of our professional staff, three Deputies and one Custody Deputy have been found to be COVID-19 positive. This brings the total number of Sheriff’s employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 111, with 101 having recovered and returned to work.
The Main Jail is reporting nine additional inmates towards the total number of inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19. Due to recoveries and releases, the total number of active cases today is 35, a difference of three since our last press release.
|
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Main Jail COVID-19 Related Cases |
|||
|
|
Positive Upon Intake |
Contracted Within Facility |
Total Cases |
|
Active Cases Medically Monitored/Treated |
3 |
32 |
35 |
|
Recovered |
13 |
114 |
127 |
|
Released from Custody |
17 |
16 |
33 |
|
Deceased |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
34 |
162 |
196 |
Friday’s Numbers
PHD reported 136 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Friday
Three individuals were over 70 years of age and one was between the ages of 50-69 years old. Two had underlying medical conditions. Two deaths were associated with an outbreak at a congregate facility. Two resided in Santa Barbara, one in Santa Maria and one in the Goleta Valley/Gaviota area.
There have now been 334 deaths and PHD stated the county has lost more community members so far in 2021 than in all of 2020.
There are currently 1,067 active cases including 161 hospitalizations with 44 in the ICU. The county’s ICU availability is 18.4%.
Dr. Do-Reynoso confirmed there is a notable decrease with a 60.5 reduction in case rates and a 38% decrease in testing positivity. However, more work needs to be done to reopen schools and also reach the red tier.
In order to reach the less restrictive red tier, the county’s case rate would need to decrease by an additional 80% and testing positivity by 20%.
More info: https://publichealthsbc.org/status-reports/
Blame whoever you want for anti vaccine attitudes, in my opinion there’s a host of reasons, and NONE are credible whatsoever. It’s a shame that so many healthcare workers are refusing vaccination. Hard to believe really. Any healthcare worker whose been educated in science to even a basic degree knows better. I think the long term care facilities have many workers who have a very limited science background, unfortunately.
Per the article “ The majority of COVID-19-related deaths within the county are people aged 70 and older and living in congregate care settings.”
Why are public schools closed?
Why are people wearing masks while driving alone or on a sidewalk ?
Why are restaurants closed?
I have 2 theories regarding healthcare workers. And they’re only theories. But the articles have repeatedly stated that healthcare workers were testing positive for Covid so we had limited ICU beds. So them thinking “I’ve already had the virus so I don’t need the vaccine” is 1.
Second, if they’re young and healthy. They could be taking a moral stance that a 65 year old should be getting the vaccine prior to them because they’re 30 and healthy.
All the comments here seem to want to put this in a national two=party political context. Let’s talk about our own county. I am particularly concerned that the CHD is not doing a good job getting this vaccine out. I personally know that many people who are “not eligible” have received the vaccine while people who are “eligible” are desperately seeking an injection. In particular, the Marian Hospital roll out has been a tragedy it seems. Many open spots, people showing up too young to qualify but getting the shot anyway, people being told they could get the shot by showing up and doing so. While it is good that the vaccines are not being wasted, it would be hugely better if some discipline were evident. Why is there no site allowing people in Santa Barbara County to input personal data and get a date and place for their vaccine appointment? Why do we have Cottage, Marian, CHD and perhaps several other local operations quietly doing the work but only for those in the know? I think the Board of Supervisors needs to take a hard and critical look at the mess CHD had created. In LA and SD and other places people over 65 can at least drive up to a place and get a shot. In our county no one over 65 can even schedule an “authorized” injection. It is a scandal.
This is a perfect example of why our government shall never run healthcare. Also why our government really shouldn’t run anything. It is an utter disaster at everything it touches.
In reality, it’s a graphic example of the failings of our for-profit healthcare system.
We agree. You’re thoroughly confused.
Conservativesb another reason I’ve heard from several Hispanic workers. Getting the vaccine and having to carry a card is the equivalent to having the mark of the beast. Their deep religious upbringing is hard to overcome.
Basicinfo I don’t think the healthcare workers have a much higher percentage of participation with the flu shot. Maybe they know a little something? I have had both so don’t think I’m a anti vaccer.
GETALONG – You put on your mask inside your house. You leave, drive around doing your errands and you come home and take off your mask. YOU DON’T TOUCH it when you are out of your house.
SBGAL, by only putting those three news sources on there and not the rest of the MSM you’re clearly susceptible to misinformation as well.
If right wingers were the main reason for anti vax and anti mask idiocy we surely wouldn’t be having such a problem in California–especially in Santa Barbara where most of us are progressive. Most of the anti vax and maskers I see are students–very anti-Fox news and progressive students.
There’s young and stupid, which for some who don’t learn becomes older and right wing.
I’ve read in the NYT that some healthcare workers fear that the vaccine was rushed and therefore not ready for safety reasons. Others say that the push for profits from the drug companies makes for a bad product. Looks like we will need a third “jab”.
Many people are not very bright.
1:07 – Yes, you’re right. Why did you post it?
Off topic whataboutism.