Santa Barbara County officials reported 311 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the countywide total up to 1,032 as of May 8.
During the Santa Barbara County virtual press conference Friday, county officials said 310 of the 311 new cases are in individuals incarcerated at the Lompoc Federal Corrections Complex.
Dr. Henning Ansorg, county health officer, said there are two additional deaths as a result of COVID-19. One of those deaths was in a Lompoc resident in their 60s with an underlying health condition. The other death was in a person incarcerated at the Lompoc Federal Corrections Complex in their 70s with an underlying health condition.
Ansorg also said 464 coronavirus patients in the county have fully recovered; 39 patients are hospitalized, 12 of whom are receiving treatment in an intensive care unit and 225 patients are recovering at home.
Ansorg said at the press conference that there is not a "large increase" in positive cases among prison staff members, but could not state the specific number.
The county health officer said the Federal Bureau of Prisons will not release the number of inmates at the Lompoc Federal Corrections Complex who are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart said the growing COVID-19 outbreak at the Federal Corrections Complex in Lompoc complicates the county's reopening situation as the county does not have the authority to resolve the medical crisis at the prison.
This story is developing. Please check back later as more information becomes available.
