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The City of Goleta is closely monitoring the evolving Coronavirus situation and is working closely with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to receive the latest updates and emergency procedures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The City of Goleta remains vigilant and will keep community members informed of any health concerns or potential risks.
We have received the following updates from the County Public Health Department:
Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County. The health risk from this coronavirus to the public remains low at this time.
Today, February 29, 2020, the state of Washington reported the first death in the United States from Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19. The deceased was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions.
As of February 28, 2020, the California Department of Public Health Department (CDPH) reported there are a total of 34 positive cases in California: 24 are from repatriation flights. The other ten confirmed cases include seven that are travel related, one due to person-to-person exposure from a very close contact (a spouse) and two from unknown sources.
The health risk from novel coronavirus to the public remains low currently. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization.
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses you are likely already familiar with including the common cold and more severe diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain that was not previously found in humans. The outbreak is impacting people mostly in China, with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected with coronavirus experience mild illness and recover, however it can be more severe for others.
Who can get COVID-19?
People of all ages can be infected by coronavirus. Those with pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, and older people are more susceptible to becoming severely ill with the virus, impacting their chances of recovery.
What are the symptoms?
Signs of coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath accompanied by a fever. In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause pneumonia, SARS, kidney failure, or death.
How can we prevent the spread of viruses?
The usual precautions for viruses apply for preventing spread of coronavirus infection. They include:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water. This kills viruses that may be on your hands. When soap and water is not accessible, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer product is recommended. Whatever you use, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or your bent elbow. Dispose of any used tissues immediately, and then wash your hands.
- Avoiding close contact with people showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you touch a surface containing a virus with your hands, that virus can quickly enter the body and cause illness.
What should I do if I feel sick?
Stay home if you are sick. Especially if you have a fever, cough, and any difficulty breathing. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention, and call your provider’s office in advance.
What else can I do?
Expand your knowledge. Information is changing fast, as are the resources for further study.
Please visit the Santa Barbara County Health Department website https://countyofsb.org/phd/ for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Coronavirus
U.S. Centers for Disease Control Website
For information on travel to or from countries with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 please see the following CDC website:
Travel Precautions
The City of Goleta will continue to monitor this important and evolving health concern and will share any additional information or resources we find.
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