Santa Barbara County officials declared a public health emergency Thursday evening as they continued to monitor for signs that the deadly novel coronavirus had made its way to the area.
Thus far, no cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, have been found locally, according to Van Do-Reynoso, the county’s public health director, who spoke at a press briefing at the County Administration Building in Santa Barbara.
Six people have been tested and cleared — five on the South Coast and one in the North County — and nine others currently are in home quarantine and are being monitored by Public Health personnel, said Paige Batson, the county’s deputy director for community health.
In addition to declaring a public health emergency, the county has issued a health officer order calling for all gatherings of 250 people or more to be postponed or canceled.
Beyond that, officials are calling for “social distancing” in most other settings — including directing people to stay at least six feet apart in smaller gatherings.
That order will be in effect until March 30, when it will be reviewed.
Meanwhile, the county has set up a public information line for the coronavirus: 833-688-5551.
It will be open until 10 p.m. Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and probably over the weekend.
As of Thursday evening, Public Health personnel have monitored 61 people, Batson said.
“All have been cleared,” Batson said.
Seventeen labs in California are conducting coronavirus testing, including in San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, according to Batson.
“While testing has been expanded,” Batson said, “it’s important for everyone to know there is still certain criteria that needs to be met for persons to be tested, because we have to prioritize those that are at greater risks of having adverse outcomes.”
COVID-19 testing is “not necessarily going to be offered or provided upon request,” Batson said.
Second District county Supervisor Gregg Hart said local government “is doing everything we can to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus…This is the time we must all act in the best interest of our community and work together to contain this virus.”
The guidelines to be implemented are in alignment with the California Department of Public Health’s most recent guidelines issued Thursday regarding social distancing and public gatherings.
“Even though we have zero cases in Santa Barbara County,” Do-Reynoso said, “we are taking these two actions because of the declaration recently by the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is a pandemic, and also because of the recent California Department of Public Health issuance of recommendations on social distancing.
“The health officer order provides firm perimeters for canceling or postponing group gatherings that are nonessential, professional, social and community gatherings. Mandating social distancing is timely, and a proven strategy in prior pandemics.”
Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county’s public health officer, said, “It’s “essential that we implement social distancing as it’s the most effective way to slow the spread of disease.
“To protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of the coronavirus in our area, we are implementing measures that are proven to be very effective during previous epidemics and pandemics, and delaying the rate of infection and reducing illness and death.”
Gatherings of people “who are at the highest risk of severe illness” of COVID-19 “need to be limited to no more than 10 people,” Ansorg said.
Jan Koegler, manager of the county Public Health Department’s emergency preparedness program, said Public Health personnel are communicating with local skilled-nursing facilities and assisted-living providers.
“These are facilities that serve some of our most vulnerable residents,” Koegler said. “Many of them have already implemented restrictions on visitors and restrictions on activities for their residents to prevent the spread of disease.”
Public Health personnel also are working with senior service providers and the Area Agency On Aging to coordinate information to keep seniors living independently safe, as well as ensure senior meals continue “even though some of the senior activity centers will limit their activities now due to the need to provide social distancing,” Koegler said.
She added that county environmental health service staff are working on procedures and guidance for restaurants “so they can continue to operate given the instructions for groups and for staying six feet distance from each other.”
County officials hope to have details on Friday, Koegler said.
The county also issued a local proclamation of emergency, said Kelly Hubbard, director of the Office of Emergency Management.
“The local proclamation gives us the opportunity to coordinate with our community partners and the Public Health Department, and utilize our resources available,” Hubbard said.
Click here to view the Santa Barbara County press conference.
Also Thursday night, in a hastily called meeting, the Solvang City Council unanimously adopted measures related to the public health concern, adopting the county public health order, authorizing staff to pull the Solvang Century bike ride permit for routes through the city, and directing staff to work with local businesses to mitigate the economic impact.
The city’s motion also authorized the mayor to send a letter to state and federal representatives seeking financial assistance.
Council members had expressed concerns about the impact on its small businesses and city funding, which heavily relies on tourist spending.
“The fact that all these go into effect until March 30 to me is extremely optimistic, and I sure hope this is the case because this could be huge,” Councilman Robert Clarke said.
Noozhawk Executive Editor Tom Bolton contributed to this report.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
