Santa Barbara County reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the county's total to 1,737 confirmed cases as of June 4.
County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said 364 cases, or 60 percent of the total cases in the community, are in Santa Maria and surrounding areas and that there has been an increase in cases in that area. He said health officials are working to identify the sources of infection.
Of the total number of cases, 980 are at the Lompoc prison and 757 cases are in the community.
Of the community cases, 32 people are hospitalized, including ten patients who are in the ICU. Seventy-six people are recovering at home, and 617 people have recovered.
Santa Barbara County has reported 14 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Health officials say 21,148 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Santa Barbara County.
Dr. Ansorg said that by the middle of next week, test results should show the impact the gradual reopening of the economy has had on cases. He said once health officials are sure there has not been an exponential growth in cases, they can decide which industries may open further.
Three free coronavirus testing sites are open to the community in Santa Barbara County -- at the Santa Maria Fairpark, the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara and, starting Friday, at the Solvang Veterans' Memorial Hall.
Appointments are required at all testing sites. To make an appointment, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123.
For more information on the county's COVID-19 response, visit publichealthsbc.org.