Santa Barbara County added 696 new COVID-19 cases in three days, bringing the county’s total to 13,557 confirmed cases as of Dec. 14.
The 360 cases reported Monday represent the highest single-day case count in Santa Barbara County since the outbreak began. The second highest daily case count was 310 cases reported on May 8.
A further 191 cases were added on Saturday and 145 cases on Sunday.
County public health officials say the increase in cases comes two weeks after Thanksgiving and is directly related to gatherings of family and friends.
“Today’s positive case count is higher than any other daily number we have seen to date, and underscores the predictions we would expect if people continued to gather outside their immediate homes,” said Dr. Van Do-Rhinoso of the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health. Director.
Local health officials say they are quick to communicate in the search for new positive events, but resources are being stretched thinly. They appeal to community members who test positively for the virus to stay away from others.
“We have reached a number of cases that surpass all previous records,” Dr Do-Rhinoso said in a statement on Monday. “Every person needs to take action now and stay home. We’m on a horizon where we can see our health care system being violated. We need to take immediate action because we see the price our decisions are now paying, and it is costing the lives and well – being of our community members.”
Seventy-five people are currently hospitalized, including 21 patients in the ICU. Health officials say 12,477 people have recovered.
There are 140 deaths due to COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County.
Breakdown of cases based on location:
- Santa Maria – 5,105
- Santa Barbara – 1,912
- Lombok – 1,398
- Lombok Federal Prison – 1,031
- Orkut – 617
- Isla Vista – 569
- Guadeloupe and North County Unconnected Areas (Cisco, Cosmalia, Gary, Guyama, New Guyama) – 563
- Colette – 465
- Unconnected Colette Valley and Caviar – 362
- Carpenteria and South County Unconnected Areas (Montecitto, Summerland) – 358
- Santa Yines Valley (Solwang, Powellton, Santa Yines, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Ballard) – 294
Additional cases are listed as “pending” location.
Three free community corona virus testing sites have opened in Santa Maria, Bowelton and Colette.
Additional testing will be available at the Public Health Inspection site in Santa Maria from Tuesday, December 15 to Friday, December 18.
Appointments are needed everywhere. Click here for information on how to make the appointment.
For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit publichealthsbc.org.