Staff Report
The fourth death in Santa Barbara County related to COVID-19 was a 66-year-old inmate at the United States Penitentiary (USP) in Lompoc. The total count of cases rose by 12 as of Saturday, with seven in the Lompoc; three in Santa Maria; one in Orcutt and one in the unicorportated of North County including Sisquoc, Casmalia, New Cuyama, Guadalupe.
The age range of the new cases range from under 18 to over 70 years old, according to Santa Barbara County Public Health.
The inmate was identified as Oliver M. Boling, 66, who was sentenced in the Superior Court in the District of Columbia to a 71-year and 6 months sentence for Sodomy and Assault With a Deadly Weapon, Prison Breach, Petit Larceny, and Armed Robbery. He had been in custody at USP Lompoc since May 7, 2018, according to the Bureau of Prisons press release.
Boling went into respiratory failure after he was evaluated by institutional medical staff and transported to a local hospital for further treatment. While at the local hospital, Boling tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, April 7, his condition declined and he was placed on a ventilator. On Friday, April 17, Boling, who had long-term, pre-existing medical conditions which the CDC lists as risk factors for developing more severe COVID-19 disease, was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Although most cases of COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, PHD recommends additional measures to prevent exposure among vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, asthma, COPD and others). PHD recommends that residents, especially those who are vulnerable:
- Stay home except for essential tasks. Ensure you have a two-week supply of medication on hand.
- When engaging in essential tasks away from home, remain 6 feet away from others and wear a facial covering.
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant
Please visit Santa Barbara County’s coronavirus web page for other preparedness resources and updates at https://publichealthsbc.org/.
