Santa Barbara County reported 66 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, with a daily positive-test rate of only 2 percent.
The results were based on 2,730 tests, one of the larger daily totals reported during the pandemic, according to the county Public Health Department.
It’s unknown when the tests were administered, so it’s impossible to determine whether Sunday’s results represent a new positive trend with the coronavirus locally, or just an aberration.
The county typically reports a lower number of tests of the weekends, and also is grappling with a major data problem at the state level.
There were 80 COVID-19 patients being treated in local hospitals Sunday, a decline from 82 the previous day.
Of those, 29 were in intensive-care units, which matches the highest number reported.
Of the new cases, 35 are in the Santa Maria Valley, with 10 in Lompoc, seven in Santa Barbara and five in Isla Vista.
There were two cases each reported in Goleta and the Santa Ynez Valley, while geographic locations were pending on five cases.
The county’s COVID-19 case total rose to 6,840.
Of the known modes of transmission, about 62 percent have been from close contacts such as family gatherings, parties, etc.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.