The number of confirmed people in Santa Barbara County with the coronavirus is 18, but the real number is likely much greater, according to a top Santa Barbara County Public Health Department official. 

“Because this virus is so novel, it is impossible to predict the exact or even close amount,” said Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county’s public health officer. “I am convinced it is a multitude of the tested positive results, for sure.”

Henning joined Gregg Hart, chairman of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Jan Koegler, public health emergency preparedness manager, for a briefing Monday on COVID-19 and its impacts on the community.

Ansorg said several of the 18 who tested positive for COVID-19 have fully recovered, but did not specify exactly how many, nor whether any of them have been hospitalized. 

The officials beat the drum of social distancing as the best way to avoid transmitting the virus.

If people believe they have it, they should self-quarantine until they go 72 hours without a fever. If symptoms worsen, Ansorg said, people should then contact their doctor or medical provider to seek care. 

“As the health officer, I am telling all Santa Barbara County residents to assume the virus is in your community, assume you are at risk for contracting it, and take action to stop the spread,” Ansorg said. “If you have even only mild symptoms, please stay home.”

The limited capacity for obtaining test results has forced health care workers to prioritize who gets tested, offering them to the high-risk population.

“In times of increased demand on our health care system, we need residents to help us guard precious medical resources for the patients that will experience severe illness and need the support of our hospital system,” Ansorg said.

He said people should stay home unless it is an absolute necessity to leave.

“We are doing everything we can to flatten the curve,” Ansorg said. “We do have evidence of community spread in Santa Barbara County and it will not slow down unless everyone takes ownership of their role in stopping the spread.” 

Ansorg also suggested that people have their groceries and food delivered as the best way to minimize risks of catching or spreading the virus. 

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley also issued a stern warning Monday to any businesses who are price-gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you believe a merchant is engaging in price-gouging, please reach out to the District Attorney’s Office,” Dudley said. 

Dudley said her father was a small-business owner and it would have broken his heart to lay off his employees. 

“It would have devastated him to not be able to pay his bills and not provide for his family,” said Dudley, adding that local, regional and state officials are working to provide solutions for the restaurants and businesses that have had to close their doors. 

“For those merchants that are still open, I am sure that you don’t want to violate the law,” Dudley said. 

If prices for goods and services were increased above 10 percent, the merchant would have to save their invoices and prove that the increase in price was directly attributable to the cost of goods, labor and materials, Dudley said. 

To the community at large, Dudley urged people to engage in “random acts of kindness” to feel better during this unpredictable time. 

Supervisor Gregg Hart said he is impressed that many people are listening to the governor’s stay-at-home order. Still, not everyone is complying. 

“Unfortunately, not everyone is taking this order as seriously as they need to,” Hart said. “All of us must work together to stop the spread of the virus by taking personal responsibility to stay home.”

Hart also noted that the Santa Barbara Foundation, United Way and the Hutton-Parker Foundation have joined together to create a group called the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort. He said the $1 million philanthropic effort will assist vulnerable residents and people in need in the community. 

— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.