Santa Barbara, Calif. – Three Custody Deputies, one non-sworn staff member, and one inmate have tested positive for COVID-19. The first Custody Deputy last worked on December 22, 2020, was tested that same day and is asymptomatic. The second Custody Deputy was tested on December 24,2020, was tested that day and had previously been symptomatic. The third Custody Deputy was tested on December 24, 2020, last worked on December 26, 2020 and is asymptomatic. All three Custody Deputies were tested as part of employee surveillance testing and all three positive results were returned on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

The non-sworn staff member last worked on December 23, 2020, began experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms on December 26, 2020, was tested and found to be COVID-19 positive today. All staff members consistently wore masks while at work. This brings the total number of Sheriff’s Office employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 75, with 55 having recovered and returned to work.

The Main Jail has one additional COVID-19 positive inmate, bringing the number of active cases to six. The inmate housed in the intake quarantine area, tested on December 23, 2020, and found to be COVID-19 positive on December 25, 2020. All six COVID-19 positive inmates are being housed in negative-air pressure housing areas, separate from the general population and are consistently monitored by medical staff.