Somber Santa Barbara County leaders announce first COVID-19 related death
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart broke the news of the first COVID-19 related death in the county.
"I'm saddened to report we now have our first COVID-19 death in Santa Barbara County."
The patient's daughter sent a message to our newsroom and described him as a loving father and grandfather, but privacy issues limit what the county's top health officer can release.
"The person who died was in their 60s ,and had underlying health conditions. This north county resident was hospitalized and succumbed to their illness today. We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of this patient," said Dr. Henning Ansorg.
The death occurred on April 1, at Marion Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.
Dr. Ansorg could not say what the underling condition in this case was but said, "Any condition that weakens the immune system will make the body vulnerable to fight the viral illness, so that could be anything from severe kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, somebody who needs to take medication to suppress the immune system because they have a transplant or because they have an autoimmune disease that requires this kind of medication."
He said vulnerable patients may also have cancer, asthma or COPD.
When asked if everyone should wear masks, Dr. Ansorg said he is not opposed to people wearing them, but urged people not to hoard the kind health care workers need to do their jobs.
"We want to request that community members who want to protect themselves and others by wearing a face covering mask to please abstain from hoarding medical grade face masks so that our health care facilities will have access to the much needed protective gear."
With 111 cases, 17 in the hospital and 13 in intensive care as of Wednesday afternoon Dr. Ansorg said he expects hospitals to exceed their capacity by the end of April or May.
"We will be ready to receive additional patients as soon as next week at the old Lompoc Hospital."
The old Lompoc Valley Hospital was converted into Champion Center to treat substance abuse years ago but subsequently closed for financial reasons.
Dr. Ansorg also said the county has 85 functional ventilators at its disposal and 25 surge ventilators that are being serviced that will be returned soon.
They also have quicker testing methods on order.
County Public Health Director Van Do Reynoso said everyone can be part of the solution by flattening the curve.
"If we can commit to stay home as much as possible, isolate ourselves when we become sick, and stay six feet apart from each other when out, we will save lives in Santa Barbara county," said Van Do-Reynoso.
The CEO of Child Abuse Listening and Mediation also took part in the news conference warning families about information overload.
Alana Walczak of CALM said it is a challenging time for people dealing with mental health issues. She said there has been a rise in domestic violence reports and added it is difficult to determine whether there is a rise in child abuse. She said the people who report are often teachers and school is out.
She offered several tips to deal with pandemic related mental health issues.
"Taking breaks from the news, this is very is important information, but it can really be since it can be triggering for people that are suffering from trauma and grief, spending time in nature while practicing social distancing, checking in with family and friends, and trying to spend quality time with children. For kids, the most important factor for building resilience is a healthy connection to a loving adult, so even though we are all juggling working form home, we are juggling economic hardship we are juggling loss and grief, if we can take breaks throughout our day and spend time with children that is really, really very important right now," said Walczak.
For more information about CALM visit www.calm4kids.org or call (805)965-2376
The next Santa Barbara County virtual COVID19 news conference will be at 4:30 on Thursday afternoon.
