Santa Barbara County is reporting the death of another person who tested positive for COVID-19.
Health officials say the patient was over the age of 70, had underlying health conditions, and lived in the Goleta Valley. The death was reportedly associated with a coronavirus outbreak at a congregate living facility.
Santa Barbara County has had 157 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
The county also added 280 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the county's total to 17,008 confirmed cases as of December 30.
The Public Health Department reports that 129 people are currently hospitalized, including 35 patients who are in the ICU. Health officials say 15,682 people have recovered.
According to the State of California's online COVID-19 dashboard, there are currently 23 ICU beds available in Santa Barbara County.
Breakdown of cases by location:
- Santa Maria - 6,359
- Santa Barbara - 2,673
- Lompoc - 1,773
- Lompoc federal prison - 1,039
- Orcutt - 847
- Goleta - 728
- Guadalupe and North County unincorporated areas (Sisquoc, Casmalia, Garey, Cuyama, New Cuyama) - 694
- Isla Vista - 658
- Unincorporated Goleta Valley and Gaviota - 529
- Carpinteria and South County unincorporated areas (Montecito, Summerland) - 488
- Santa Ynez Valley (Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Ballard) - 421
An additional 799 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 at the Public Health Testing Site in Santa Maria on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Appointments are required at all locations. Click here for information on how to make an appointment.
For more information on the county's COVID-19 response, visit publichealthsbc.org.