Edhat StaffBy edhat staff
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is reporting three additional deaths of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. All three individuals were over 70 years of age. Two of the three decedents had underlying health conditions. One person resided in the North County Unincorporated area, one person in the City of Lompoc, and one person in the City of Santa Maria.
“The death of a relative or friend starts a period of great difficulty for everyone involved. We extend our heartfelt condolences too each and every one grieving the loss of these loved ones,” said Van Do-Reynoso, Santa Barbara County Public Health Director.
Additionally, PHD reported 62 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the grand total to 6,526. Of that, 227 cases are still active meaning they are infectious. There are 88 hospitalizations with 25 in the intensive care unit (ICU). There have been 64 deaths.
Although most cases of COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, PHD recommends additional measures to prevent exposure among vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, asthma, COPD and others). PHD recommends that residents:
- Stay home when possible.
- Remain six feet away from others and wear a facial covering when engaging in tasks away from home.
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick. Do not go to work or other places.
All local employers and business owners are urged to adhere closely to sector health and safety guidelines. Ensuring a safe environment for both employees and customers is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and assuring that businesses remain safely open during this time.
For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health, residents may call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833)-688-5551 or visit publichealthsbc.org.
woah.. over twice as many ‘new’ cases in SB than SM ? what gives.
Gov ordered a “Strike Team.” Apparently there are a “few” problems with counting. First, it was under-reporting deaths by 28. Now it is under-reporting positive cases. At least that is how the Public Health Officer put it tonight during the news conference today. All I can say is WTF!? OMG!? Can anyone do anything right!? – They are going back to “pen and pencil.” So comforting!
A few of us here, commenting on EdHat, have been pointing out problems with the numbers for a very long time. Glad SBPHD is finally coming around to this truth, even if it took some nudging from state agencies.
Building more “middle class” studios-2 bedrooms with tiny balconies, is forcing people to live like sardines, adding to diseases being spread so easily here, from lice and scaby epidemics to COVID…
Why is no one discussing the hospitalization rate of children and babies here, which has been zero, since parents are being forced to homeschool without compensation?
Wow…they have a hard time keeping count of this. Imagine how hard it will be for the election results to get a fair count from the county elections. Can’t wait to see how much a deficit the county will be in next year. Enjoy the final days of Prop. 13 methinks!