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I know that many of you have fear, anxiety, and additional, very real burdens from the Coronavirus outbreak. Some of you have lost work, some of you are in danger of losing your business and your dream, and some of you are in the high risk population where your life is threatened.
We will get through this, if we act rationally, urgently but methodically, and concentrate on what we as individuals and families are doing instead of what other people are doing (except you can always give me constructive criticism and advice).
We strongly urge people 65 and older to stay home. Either get a friend/family member to ship for you or use a grocery delivery service.
In good news – due to the recent storm, Gibraltar Reservoir is very close to spilling and Cachuma is up a foot!
Our Public Health staff held a very helpful press conference yesterday that can be viewed by clicking this link. Additionally the further briefed us this morning at our Board meeting. This morning they informed us that there is a second confirmed case. Their initial assessment finds that the case was not a result of community transmission and rather a case of close contact transmission with a known COVID-19 case from San Luis Obispo County. Further investigation is ongoing.
And as always, you can visit Santa Barbara County’s Public Health COVID-19 Public Information Portal for updated info.
Here are some key questions that they answered:
Q: How is COVID-19 transmitted?
A: Virus is transmitted through droplets, which can be transmitted around 3-feet, which is why the social distancing requirement is 6-feet to protect people from being in the range of a droplet if someone near them were to cough or sneeze.
Most transmission only happens if someone is experiencing symptoms. The likelihood of transmission without symptoms being present is very low. This is why it is so CRITICAL for people to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms. Stay home for 72 hours AFTER complete freedom from symptoms.
Q: How many tests have been given at this point?
A: 128 tests have been given between Public Health and four of our hospitals. We are still waiting for data from one other hospitals and one private lab. The results of the tests are 31 negative, 2 positive, and 95 pending.
Q: How many tests does Santa Barbara County have?
A: There are two parts of the testing process. One is the collection kit with the swab. We have 1700 collection kits. The second part is the testing kit, which we are sharing with SLO and Ventura Counties. There are global shortages of necessary aspects of that side of the kit. The Federal government is working on national production of the aspects of the kit to ensure we have national access. Recently, private labs have gotten involved, which is what has led to an increase in testing nationwide and we will see further increase of testing in the coming days.
Q: Who is being tested for COVID-19?
A: County Public Health and healthcare providers have developed a clear testing protocol that should reduce the times that people meeting the criteria are turned away from testing.
?Tier 1:
Patients who are hospitalized or severely ill
Symptomatic health care providers and first responders
Symptomatic elderly individuals, especially those who live in senior living facilities or nursing facilities
Tier 2:
Symptomatic people over the age of 60 who have chronic health conditions
Tier 3:
?All other symptomatic people as testing is available
In addition to testing, we have put in proactive social distancing requirements and it is absolutely critical that anyone who feels any respiratory symptom, including a sore throat, cough, and runny nose, STAY HOME. And STAY HOME for 72 hours AFTER complete freedom of symptoms.
With social distancing we alter the course of transmission and if we follow through with the requirements of social distancing, we will have far less cases than we would otherwise.
Q: Will we have drive by testing?
A: Two health care providers are setting up drive by testing (details to follow). It’s important for people to recognize that drive by testing is still by appointment with the person screened ahead of time. It just allows the testing to take place out in the parking lot and removes the option for the person to go indoors and possibly interact with others. It is not open for everyone and will not be at this time.
Q: What do I do if I’m experiencing symptoms?
A: if you are experiencing any upper respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, sneezing, shortness of breath, or fever) the best thing for you to do is behave as if you have the virus and self-isolate until 72 hours after freedom of symptoms.
If you want to see or talk to a doctor about your symptoms, please CALL AHEAD. Do you not go into any health care facility while experiencing these symptoms.
If you do not have insurance, our County Health Clinics and Neighborhood Clinics are available to you. Again, CALL AHEAD.
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