By Raiza Giorgi
publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com
Santa Barbara County Public Health officials announced Monday they have made significant headway with the Governor’s office as they made the case for not counting the Lompoc Federal Penitentiary numbers for the county’s reopening process.
“Dr. Do-Reynoso and Ansorg raised the issues the Board of Supervisors send in a letter to the Governor, and this could allow for the county to begin an accelerated business reopening process,” said Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart.
The California Department of Public Health announced today a new attestation opportunity for counties to move through Stage 2, opening additional sectors of their economy at their own pace. To qualify, counties must attest that hospitalization and test positivity rates are stable or declining; that they have a significant level of preparedness with testing, contact tracing, PPE and hospital surge; and that they have adequate plans related to county-wide containment.
The state also announced that starting today, some sectors of the economy statewide can begin reopening with modifications, including office spaces and counseling services in places of worship, curbside libraries and drive-in movie theaters.
Dr. Hennig Ansorg also announced a large shipment of Remdesivr being currently delivered to the three hospitals, with Lompoc Valley Medical Center and Marian Medical Center getting the first doses as they have the highest numbers and more severe cases.
Ansorg also said there were 22 new cases on Monday, with 15 of those in the community and seven at the prison. Of the community cases there were nine in Santa Maria, two in Lompoc, one in Orcutt, one in Casmalia/Sisquoc; one in Santa Barbara and one still pending.
There have been 12,267 tests completed with 10,663 negative, 1,496 positive and 108 inconclusive.
There are three locations to get tested, with the Lompoc site having the most availability, according to public health. 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.
