Number of AIDS cases remains steady in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department says the number of HIV and AIDS cases in the county remained steady in 2018.

The department joined other local partners Sunday in recognizing World AIDS Day. Public health officials say it's an opportunity for people to show support for those living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illness.

In Santa Barbara County, there were 32 newly reported HIV cases in 2018. 31 percent of those patients were then diagnosed with AIDS.

The department says there are 549 people living with HIV/AIDS in the county.

The CDC says one in seven people in the U.S. who has HIV doesn't know they are HIV positive. Health experts recommend everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once as part of routine health care.