COVID-19 Updates

At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, April 13, Public Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso reported that the current shelter-at-home order in Santa Barbara County is working, causing a “flattening of the curve” to prevent overwhelming our local hospital system. “We can’t be less restrictive,” Dr. Do-Reynoso said. “Staying at home and physical distancing will allow our hospital system to remain intact and provide services to all who need that level of care.”

As of press time, public health officials had yet to comment on a plan to re-populate the community following Governor Gavin Newsom’s shelter-at-home order on March 19. On Tuesday, Newsom outlined several targets that should be met before lifting the order. These included a statewide ability to continue to monitor and track COVID-19 cases, prevent infection of high-risk demographics, ensure hospitals are prepared to handle future surges, ensure businesses and schools are able to support social distancing measures, and develop clear guidelines to be used for future stay-at-home orders, if they become necessary. Newsom did not speculate on a date to lift the mandate, but did say that local jurisdictions would be making their own decisions based on the State’s guidance.

In South Santa Barbara County, COVID-19 cases rose to 313 by Tuesday afternoon, including 18 in the unincorporated areas of the county which include Montecito, Summerland, and the City of Carpinteria. 67 of the cases are inmates at the Federal Prison in Lompoc.

In Montecito, businesses continue to pivot to in order to appeal to their customer base. The Hair Lounge of Montecito, located in the Las Aves complex near the Bird Refuge, has started offering at-home coloring kits using the exact formulas that clients are using at the salon. Owner Pam Peterson carefully mixes the personalized color specifications in a unique delivery kit that customers pick up and apply at home. For more information, call (805) 695-0100. See Village People on page 18 to learn more about Pam.

Montecito business owners are invited to join a Zoom call this Friday, April 17, at 11 am. The team from Montecito Journal, Congressman Salud Carbajal, and First District Supervisor Das Williams will be answering questions and brainstorming on how best businesses can be supported during this time. For a link to the call, email Kelly@montecitojournal.net.