Unvaccinated people have high risk of getting COVID-19 even with low community rates health experts say

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County currently has 30 active cases of COVID-19. That’s down from 44 cases two weeks ago. Those numbers are from Santa Barbara County Public Health’s COVID dashboard. 

While the community COVID-19 rates are continuing to drop, those who are unvaccinated still have a high risk. Cottage Health infectious disease specialist Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons said those who are not vaccinated have a similar risk as the community did about three months ago. 

Dr. Fitzgibbons continued, those who have already gotten COVID-19 and have recovered should still get vaccinated.

As of Thursday, Santa Barbara County Public Health states, 52.3% of eligible residents and 44.2% of the population are fully vaccinated. 

On June 15, California plans reopen fully and drastically reduce mask mandates for those who are fully vaccinated.