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The good news is that physical distancing is working. Our County Public Health Department and the hospitals have worked to increase hospital bed capacity to about 590 countywide, yet our hospitalizations are at 40 (confirmed patients). Lives have been saved by our combined efforts, so please keep it up as the State wrestles with how long the “Shelter in Place” order will last and we wrestle with what we will do if the order is lifted or modified.
To date, the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Santa Barbara County is 313. Of these cases,133 are recovering at home, 40 are recovering in a hospital, 15 of which are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 124 have fully recovered, and 14 are pending an update. Unfortunately, we have experienced two deaths in Santa Barbara County. To view a map of COVID-19 cases in California by County, click here.
We have also been successful in increasing our testing capacity. Originally, we had capacity for no more than 45 tests a day with a turnaround time of 1-2 days for results. Currently, that capacity is 90-105 tests per day with a 2-10 hour turnaround time for results. Next week we expect to expand to 150 tests a day.
Yesterday, the Policy Board of Central Coast Community Energy met and voted to slash energy rates 50% for May and June in order to provide relief for Central Coast customers in response to COVID-19. Central Coast Community Energy is the regional energy provider Santa Barbara County is in the process of joining in order to increase our amount of alternative energy (Goleta Councilmember Kyle Richards and I are your voting members). The vote marks the strongest response from energy providers in the state, and I hope that others consider taking similar actions.
As we continue “sheltering in place,” please keep in mind that this is an especially tough time for our local businesses. While many restaurants have closed their doors, others are offering a full or limited menu for takeout and/or delivery. Check out this guide compiled by Visit Santa Barbara to learn what’s available. Restaurant and grocery delivery services are available here. The U.S. Chamber has answers to the 10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions and a summary of the recent CARES Act Webinar can be found here. A recording of the webinar can be found here. Additionally, below is an offering of one-hour webinars to dive into the specifics of COVID-19 crisis support options:
Register NOW: Economic Development Collaborative Free Webinar on CARES act
April 15 | 12:30 pm
Join us for a FREE Webinar with EDC (Economic Development Collaborative) Navigating Local, State & Federal Resources for Employers, Self-Employed Individuals & Employees.
Register NOW: Pivot Your Business to E-Commerce
April 15 | 5:00-6:00 pm
The rapid change in the business climate coming from the lockdown of our communities has many business scrambling for new revenue channels. John Richardson will discuss strategies and tactics for getting a successful e-commerce business off the ground and turning a profit selling physical products.
Register NOW: How to Email Market in Times of Business Downturn
April 23 | 4:00-5:00 pm
To generate positive outcomes, your business has to reach the right customers with targeted campaigns. Research says that for every $1 spent on e-mail marketing there is an average $44 return on investment. Join Patty Ross for this discussion of basic and advanced techniques to propel your email marketing efforts.
For those of you seeking social and emotional support during this difficult and stressful time, the Santa Barbara County Community Wellness Team has a host of resources available for people struggling through this time and can be reached at (805) 364-2750.
For those with furry friends, C.A.R.E.4Paws is here to support low-income, senior, disabled and homeless community members in Santa Barbara County to prevent suffering and keep pets with their owners for life. They offer help with pet food and basic supplies, critical mobile veterinary care and urgent spays/neuters, and assistance for domestic violence victims and their pets. For more information, contact them at info@care4paws.org or 805-968-CARE (2273).
For residents and businesses struggling to keep up with expenses, Southern California Edison is also helping customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees by request for business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
We know that this is an incredibly difficult time if you’ve lost your job, income or work hours due to the coronavirus. The way that you can access government’s economic relief available for workers is by completing an application for Unemployment Insurance. I recommend getting to know the new Economic Recovery page on the County’s COVID-19 Public Information Portal.
There are multiple ways to file for Unemployment Insurance:
Online: You can file a claim online here
By-phone: Representatives are available at the following toll-free numbers, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon Pacific Time except on state holidays.
- English 1-800-300-5616
- Spanish 1-800-326-8937
- Cantonese 1-800-547-3506
- Mandarin 1-866-303-0706
- Vietnamese 1-800-547-2058
- TTY 1-800-815-9387
By Mail or by Fax: File your UI claim by accessing the paper Unemployment Insurance Application. For faster and secure processing, fax the completed application to the number listed on the form. If you mail your application, use the address on the form and allow additional time for processing.
How to Apply for UI Benefits (File a Claim) (YouTube)
For many, the best way to get away from the frustrations and stress of this crisis is to help others. If you are outside the at-risk population, you can volunteer for a partnership between Bucket Brigade and the County to staff Food Bank (help distribute food) and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), which needs volunteers to help prepare food at the shelter. Sign up to volunteer here. You can also join Bucket Brigade’s Most Mask Maker Challenge to sew face masks for critical service workers. Bucket Brigade will bring you materials to make masks and will pick up masks and deliver them to those in need!
Santa Barbara County Food Bank is hosting additional food distributions in order to meet the growing need in the community caused by COVID-19. All sites are implementing social distancing practices to ensure the food you receive is safe! Many locations offer a drive-thru option to minimize contact, and others are scheduling food pick-up appointments for individuals to prevent crowds. Check the website for the most current information about distribution sites.
To donate to the United Way of Santa Barbara County’s COVID-19 Response Effort, please click here. To request information about individual financial assistance, please click here.
We strongly urge people 65 and older to self-isolate completely. Either get a friend/family member to shop for you or use a grocery delivery service.
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.
Please take of yourselves and each other!
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