Santa Barbara, Calif. – Five Sheriff’s Office employees and three inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. The Sheriff’s employees include a Sheriff’s Deputy, three Custody Deputies and a non-sworn employee. The Sheriff’s Deputy last worked on December 17, 2020, began experiencing symptoms yesterday, was tested and found to be positive for COVID-19 the same day.

All three Custody Deputies were found to be COVID-19 positive on December 19, 2020. One of the Custody Deputies last worked on December 17, 2020 while the other two last worked on December 19, 2020. All three were tested as part of ongoing employee surveillance testing.

The non-sworn staff member was tested as part of ongoing employee surveillance testing on December 17, 2020 and last worked on December 19, 2020. This brings the total number of Sheriff’s Office employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 66, with 50 having recovered and returned to work.

Three inmates were found to be positive for COVID-19. One of the inmates was housed in the intake quarantine area, while the other two were detected as part of the intake screening process and have since been released. The inmate that remains in custody is being housed in negative-air pressure housing area, separate from the general population.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Main Jail COVID-19 Related Cases