3 more inmates test positive for COVID-19 at Santa Barbara County Jail

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office reported that three more inmates recently tested positive for COVID-19 within the jail population. This brings the total number of cases that have been housed at the County Jail to 39.

The Sheriff's Office said these inmates had been exposed to other inmates who later tested COVID-19 positive.

The inmates were being housed in cohort quarantine and had tested negative a week ago, however, when the inmates were re-tested on Thursday, their results came back positive late Friday night and Saturday morning.

These inmates have been moved to negative air flow cells and are being medically monitored. The Sheriff's Office said contact tracing and further testing is taking place.

At this time, 20 COVID-19 cases are still active within the Main Jail. A total of 13 inmates have recovered from the virus and five inmates have been released from custody. One inmate at the SB County Jail has passed away after testing positive for the virus.