Santa Barbara County is reporting the deaths of four more people who tested positive for COVID-19.
Health officials say one of the patients was between the ages of 50 and 69-years-old and three were over the age of 70. Three of the patients reportedly had underlying health conditions, and one of the cases was associated with an outbreak at a congregate living facility.
Santa Barbara County has had 185 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
The county also added 512 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the county's total to 19,953 confirmed cases as of January 7.
The Public Health Department reports that 178 people are currently hospitalized, including 59 patients who are in the ICU. Health officials say 17,830 people have recovered.
According to the State of California's online COVID-19 dashboard, there are currently 18 ICU beds available in Santa Barbara County.
Breakdown of cases by location:
- Santa Maria - 7,273
- Santa Barbara - 3,243
- Lompoc - 2,054
- Lompoc federal prison - 1,057
- Orcutt - 1,063
- Goleta - 937
- Guadalupe and North County unincorporated areas (Sisquoc, Casmalia, Garey, Cuyama, New Cuyama) - 834
- Isla Vista - 699
- Unincorporated Goleta Valley and Gaviota - 635
- Carpinteria and South County unincorporated areas (Montecito, Summerland) - 631
- Santa Ynez Valley (Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Ballard) - 503
An additional 1,024 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.