Santa Barbara County orders homeless shelters to screen for, report COVID-19 cases

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg issued a Health Officer Order requiring homeless shelters and H-2A housing to screen for and report cases of COVID-19 among its residents.

This order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 and will last until 5 p.m., Oct. 13 unless it is extended, rescinded or amended by the County Health Officer.

The order specifically requires that every person in a homeless shelter or H-2A housing area is screened for COVID-19 symptoms every day.

If through this daily screening a resident is determined to have COVID-19 related symptoms, that person must immediately self-isolate and notify the manager, operator or owner of the facility.

The person in charge of the shelter or housing area must also immediately notify Santa Barbara County Public Health if a confirmed case of coronavirus is identified at their location.

“The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department will partner with homeless shelters and H-2A housing operators to ensure that we mitigate the spread of    COVID-19.  Prevention efforts and quick response will facilitate the best possible outcomes for the residents in these congregate settings,” said Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso.

Public Health also recommends homeless shelters and H-2A housing keep groups stable to reduce the chances of infection spreading across all residents.

For more details and to read the full Health Officer Order, click here.

Fore updates and a breakdown of COVID-19 cases throughout Santa Barbara County, click here.