Santa Barbara sheriff’s employee tests positive for COVID-19

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - A civilian employee of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the 39th staff member to test positive for the coronavirus.

The staff member was tested after developing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The sheriff's office said this employee last worked on Monday in a position that does not have contact with inmates.

"The staff member consistently wore PPE while at work, became symptomatic on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 and was tested that day in the community," the sheriff's office said.

Results of the test came in Thursday and the employee has not returned to work.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has had 39 employees test positive for COVID-19. 36 of those employees have returned to work, with three civilian staff members recovering at home.