Labor Day Weekend in Santa Barbara County brings potential for another COVID-19 surge

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - It was a weekend to remember in the northern region of Santa Barbara County.

There were gatherings all weekend long for the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and parade as well.

The rodeo is usually the first weekend of June, but this year it landed on Labor Day Weekend.

Major holidays brings lots of travel and group gatherings, which causes concern in the case of another COVID-19 spike.

According to Johns Hopkins University's data, new infections are up over 300% in the country compared to this time last year.

And in Santa Barbara County, cases are up, but vaccination rates are at 55%.

A big portion of that percentage is the low numbers of vaccines administered in the northern county.

North county is just over 48% fully vaccinated while central county is at 47%, according to Public Health.

To find a vaccination clinic, go to this link.