COVID-19 tracking still active even with fewer public update meetings

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – An ongoing, close tracking of the coronavirus continues even as public information sessions with the Santa Barbara County Public Health are scaling back.

The county says 57 percent of the eligible population have received vaccinations.

The Readysbc.org, which has been used to provide the latest coronavirus information from county and health leaders will continue to stay up.

The Board of Supervisors will be fully opened to the public beginning July 13. Members of the public who are fully vaccinated can wear a mask as optional.

Individuals in the public will be allowed to "self attest" as they are walking through the doors, said Barbara Anderson with the County Executive Office.

Supervisor Bob Nelson said many businesses have made "significant investments." He was concerned about having a shift in protocols and wanted to make sure there was a discussion about "a pathway out of it."

"I think some of the economic impacts are still being felt in our small businesses and industries and I think whatever we can do long term to help recoup costs they have put into these investments is at least what we should be doing as a county, " said Nelson. He suggested changing land use development codes and regulations the county can be "flexible going forward."

This week, Cottage Health announced it will close its mass vaccination clinic on July 29. This allows those 12 years old and up to get both shots of the Pfizer vaccine.

Santa Barbara County Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso says the county now exceeds 57% fully vaccinated and 66% at least partially vaccinated, based on the eligible population aged 12 and up.

So far during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been 455 coronavirus-related deaths.

Supervisor Das Williams says the county has "even more of a duty" to get vaccinated to make sure no one is a carrier.

The health department is urging the public to go to its website for the latest information on COVID data and clinics, along with links to other departments and policies.

For more information, visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department's website.