Santa Barbara, Calif. – Two additional Deputies and three inmates were found to be COVID-19 positive. The first Custody Deputy last worked on December 29, 2020 and was tested that day. The Custody Deputy became symptomatic on December 30, 2020 and was notified today of the positive test result. The second Custody Deputy, who is asymptomatic, was also tested on December 29, 2020, last worked on December 30, 2020, and was notified today of the positive test result. Both employees were tested as part of ongoing employee surveillance testing and they consistently wore masks while at work. This brings the total number of Sheriff’s Office employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 during the entire pandemic to 81.

Two inmates who were booked at the jail were found to be COVID-19 positive during the intake process. One of the inmates has since been released. A third inmate in the general population has been found to be COVID-19 positive. All of the inmates who had direct contact with this COVID-19 positive inmate have tested negative, but will be housed separately and monitored. This brings the total number of active inmate cases to 8. Each of the COVID-19 positive inmates are being housed in negative-pressure housing areas and are consistently monitored by medical staff.