Santa Barbara, Calif. – Two Custody Deputies have been found to be positive for COVID-19 and three COVID-19 positive inmates were booked into custody.

The first Custody Deputy last worked on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, developed symptoms during days off, was tested on Monday, December 14, 2020 and was found to be positive today. The second Custody Deputy was not symptomatic but was tested on Sunday, December 13, 2020. The Custody Deputy last worked on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 and was found to be COVID-19 positive that evening. Both Custody Deputies consistently wore masks while at work. This brings us to a total of 59 Sheriff’s Employees that have tested positive for COVID-19, with 48 having recovered and returned to work.

Three unrelated COVID-19 positive inmates were recently booked at the Main Jail. One inmate was known to be positive for COVID-19 prior to intake last night and was released within a few hours pursuant to the local court’s extension of Emergency Rule 4. The second and third inmates tested positive for COVID-19 during the intake screening process and are each being housed in negative-air pressure housing areas, separate from the general population.

COVID-19 safety precautions remain a priority in the Main Jail with ongoing surveillance testing, attentive screening of inmates during intake, consistent disinfecting and use of PPE.