New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Including Two Cases in the City of Goleta

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department confirmed 15 new cases of COVID-19 today in Santa Barbara County. Two of the cases are in the City of Goleta (one resident is between the ages of 10-19 and the other is a resident in their twenties).  Also among the cases is a person in their seventies who resides in the Goleta Valley unincorporated area.

In response to the news tonight, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, 

“The announcement from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department today that there are confirmed cases in Goleta is to be expected as more people are tested for the virus. However, we know the reality that there are cases in our city, including those of young people, can be unsettling. We urge our community members to remain calm. The best thing they can do to help is to follow the Stay at Home order. Remember, social distancing doesn’t mean isolation.  We encourage you to get creative and stay connected with your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues on the phone or on-line.  We are so fortunate to live in such a supportive and smart community and our hope is that we will not only get through this together, but that we will grow closer through the process, as difficult as it may be.  Thank you, Goleta, for doing your part and for your ongoing cooperation.  I continue to be proud to be Mayor of this wonderful city.”

Here is the information from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department:

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is confirming fifteen (15) additional cases of COVID-19 today. This makes 47 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County at this time. Below are more details about the fifteen (15) cases announced Friday, March 27:

• Case #33—in their 40s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #34—in their 50s and resides in Santa Maria
• Case #35—between ages 10-19 and resides in Goleta
• Case #36—in their 50s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #37—in their 70s and resides in the Unincorporated areas of the Goleta Valley and Gaviota
• Case #38—in their 40s and resides in Santa Maria
• Case #39—in their 50s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #40—in their 50s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #41—in their 30s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #42—in their 50s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #43—in their 20s and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #44—in their 20s and resides in Goleta
• Case #45—is younger than 10 years old and resides in Santa Barbara
• Case #46—in their 50s and resides in the Unincorporated areas, including communities of Montecito, Summerland, and the City of Carpinteria
• Case #47—in their 50s and resides in Santa Barbara

Although PHD has released the cities and areas where confirmed COVID-19 cases have occurred, it is critical that residents in all areas of the county stay at home and practice social distancing when performing essential tasks outside their homes.

Of the 47 cases, 31 are recovering at home, five (5) persons are recovering in a hospital, two (2) of which are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and eleven (11) have fully recovered.

PHD is prioritizing thorough investigations for cases with exposures in healthcare and other congregate settings to identify persons who may have been exposed. Mandated social distancing measures are in place to slow the spread of the virus.

Community members are reminded to take measures to prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• Wash your hands with soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you become sick with respiratory symptoms, fever or cough
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant