Two post office workers at Santa Barbara East Beach Annex test positive for COVID-19
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - UPDATED: The U.S. Post Office confirms to the NewsChannel that two employees at the Santa Barbara East Beach Annex at 107 Nopalitos Way have tested positive for the coronavirus.
"We are in the process of reaching out to the local public health office and will follow the guidance they provide. We believe the risk is low for employees who work at the Santa Barbara East Beach Annex Post Office, but we will keep our employees apprised as new information and guidance becomes available," said a U.S. Post Office spokesperson.
Postal officials said they cannot release any information about the workers or their current health condition. They said they are following recommended guidance and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Officials declined to say whether the two workers who tested positive are showing any symptoms or in self quarantine. They also declined to say whether other workers at the Nopalitos Annex are being tested.
There may be extra concern about postal workers testing positive for COVID-19. We do not know if the workers who are sick handle the mail at the facility or deliver it daily which would let them come in contact with the general public.
"Although the virus can survive for a short period of time on some surfaces, both CDC and the United States Surgeon General have indicated that it is unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or packaging." said the USPS official.
Postal officials said the East Beach Annex facility is being cleaned and disinfected out of an abundance of caution.
One caller to our NewsChannel Tipline said other postal workers were threatened not to say anything about the two co-workers who tested positive for COVID-19. We asked a USPS spokesperson about that allegation. They said the matter will be looked into, but declined to comment further.
For more information about the U.S. Postal Service response to COVID-19 go to the usps.com website.
