Santa Barbara County is reporting the deaths of seven more people who tested positive for COVID-19.
Health officials say all of the patients were over the age of 70, five had underlying health conditions, and four of the cases were associated with an outbreak at a congregate living facility.
Santa Barbara County has had 173 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
The county also added 341 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the county's total to 19,019 confirmed cases as of January 5.
The Public Health Department reports that 172 people are currently hospitalized, including 55 patients who are in the ICU. Health officials say 16,741 people have recovered.
According to the State of California's online COVID-19 dashboard, there are currently 15 ICU beds available in Santa Barbara County.
Breakdown of cases by location:
- Santa Maria - 6,965
- Santa Barbara - 3,106
- Lompoc - 1,965
- Lompoc federal prison - 1,057
- Orcutt - 995
- Goleta - 879
- Guadalupe and North County unincorporated areas (Sisquoc, Casmalia, Garey, Cuyama, New Cuyama) - 775
- Isla Vista - 681
- Unincorporated Goleta Valley and Gaviota - 597
- Carpinteria and South County unincorporated areas (Montecito, Summerland) - 589
- Santa Ynez Valley (Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Ballard) - 466
An additional 944 cases are listed as "pending" location.
Three free community coronavirus testing sites are open in Santa Maria, Buellton, and Goleta.
Additional testing will be available next to the Santa Maria Health Care Center through Friday.
Appointments are required at all locations. Click here for information on how to make an appointment.
Walk-in only testing will be available beginning January 8 at the Isla Vista Theater. It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and no appointment is required.
For more information on the county's COVID-19 response, visit publichealthsbc.org.