The Public Health Department reported an additional 22 COVID-19 cases to the state over the weekend, which brings the Santa Barbara County total to 1,573.
While the county is not updating its own website over the Memorial Day weekend, it is required to report daily information to the California Department of Public Health.
According to the state database, the county reported 15 new cases on Saturday and seven cases on Sunday.
The state website does not include information about the local geographic location of the sites or hospitalization and ICU rates.
Most California counties have met state criteria to open dine-in restaurants, retail stores and other businesses, including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.
The city of Santa Barbara closed part of State Street to cars, which gives restaurants extra room to expand their dining areas outside and keep tables 6 feet apart. It also gives pedestrians more room to walk downtown.
The state released guidelines Monday for all counties to allow in-store retail shopping, not just the qualified counties, and reopen places of worship. Local decisions will be made by county public health departments.
California Department of Public Health’s guidelines allow places of worship to hold in-person services with limited capacity and disinfection protocols. Attendance has to be limited to 25 percent, or 100 people, whichever is lower.
“This guidance does not obligate places of worship to resume in-person activity. Further, it is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 including older adults and those with co-morbidities,” according to the state.
“Even with adherence to physical distancing, convening in a congregational setting of multiple different households to practice a personal faith carries a relatively higher risk for widespread transmission of the COVID-19 virus, and may result in increased rates of infection, hospitalization, and death, especially among more vulnerable populations. In particular, activities such as singing and group recitation negate the risk-reduction achieved through 6 feet of physical distancing.”
Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County Ventura County New cases in last 14 days 250 39 292 New cases per 100,000 residents 54.8 14 34.2 Total cases reported 1,573 257 982 Deaths in last 14 days 1 0 11 Total deaths reported 12 1 30 Tests reported in last 14 days 9,194 6,492 10,944 Recent test rate per 1,000 people 1.4 1.7 0.9
Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg issued an order last week mandating face coverings, starting Tuesday, for everyone over the age of 13.
The face coverings can be a scarf, bandana, neck gaiter, mask, or homemade covering made from a T-shirt or towel.
People have to wear the face coverings when in line for or inside a business (including doing business through a car window); when getting healthcare services; and when using public transportation, a ride-share service or private-car service, Ansorg said in his order.
All businesses must require employees, contractors, owners and volunteers to wear face coverings at the workplace and at off-site work locations in most circumstances, including interacting with members of the public.
Click here to read the full Health Officer Order on face coverings.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
