By Raiza Giorgi
publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
The Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Hall will open Friday as the new COVID-19 testing site, transitioning from Lompoc according to Santa Barbara County Public Health officials.
“The new site will offer free testing and we want to encourage the community members to get tested,” said Dr. Van Do-Reynoso, director of SBC Public Health.
She added the site will close if the county isn’t meeting the number of tests, and wanted to keep a location in mid-county for people to be able to access. The location at the Vet’s Hall in Solvang will be open for two weeks.
The number of cases went up by 20 community cases to a total of 1,669, with only 115 active cases. This means that roughly 91 percent of the positive cases have fully recovered, Do-Reynoso added.
Of the 115 active cases, there are 29 in the hospital and nine in the ICU. There are also 12 cases reported in the Santa Ynez Valley with nine of those fully recovered, according to public health.
“As we move forward on the path to reopening we are constantly reassessing the local data to reduce the number of cases and hospitalizations. On the dashboard we created we want to be sure people have the information as we move from Stage 2 through 4,” Do-Reynoso said.
She highlighted that people still need to wear face coverings when in public situations and continue good hygiene practices and social distancing.
Screening and appointments are available between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those who wish to make an appointment can visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. The test costs will be billed to health insurance, or will be free.
