9 COVID-19 cases now reported in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - There are now nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County.

The latest numbers were released during a press conference hosted by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

“This is the most serious threat that we have faced as a community, probably in our lifetimes,” Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart said.

County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said there is now evidence of "widespread community transmission" in the county.

“This means that we can no longer hope that the Santa Barbara area will be spared by this virus,” Ansorg said.

Ansorg said the only way now to slow down the spread of the coronavirus is to practice social distancing.

“If we were to let the virus run its course, we would end up worse than Italy," Ansorg said. “Meaning 80 percent of the population—closer to 85 percent—would get sick within two months. And at least five percent of that, maybe even more, wold need to be hospitalized in a time frame of two months. This would mean that our health care system would basically collapse.”

Of the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, Ansorg said they are all on their way to recovery and none have been hospitalized. Ansorg also said the county is waiting the results of more than 200 tests.

Ansorg said the virus is quite capable of making younger and healthier people quite ill and he urged the young members of the community to take these health recommendations seriously.

County Public Health Director Van do-Reynoso said the County had intended on issuing a health officer order for residents to shelter in their homes, but the decision was put off after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide order to stay home.

Cottage Health Laboratory Director Dr. Stewart Comer said that national testing capabilities are increasing, which should increase turnaround time for local test results to come back. Comer mentioned a specific facility now open in Phoenix that can handle 10,000 tests a day. He also says that new testing materials could allow for more tests to be given locally in the coming weeks.

Suzanne Grimmesey from the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness pointed out that although this pandemic is unique and concerning, the County has made it through several disasters and crises over the years. She also said the outbreak presents an opportunity to reset, re-establish connections with loved ones and consider what is most important.

Even while practicing social distancing, Community Wellness can be reached at (805) 364-2750.

do-Reynoso said the latest information regarding the county's efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 can be found online at PublicHealthSBC.org.