Santa Barbara County health officials were overflowing with cautious optimism on Friday as they delivered their weekly speech on the latest COVID-19 data from the region.
In short, they said, the numbers look good. Very good. Last week, the test’s positivity rate decreased by 22 percent. Case rates fell by 34%. And active cases decreased by 23%.
“Metrics continue to decline and this is something to celebrate,” said Dr. Van Do-Reynoso, director of the Department of Public Health. “This is really good news and if trends continue, we could continue to reopen in the near future.”
Of the 105,160 vaccines the county received, 81 percent were administered, said Do-Reynoso. The remaining doses are scheduled for clinics that will open in the next few days. “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet,” she said, “know that we are advocating more vaccines and planning a day in the very near future when you will be vaccinated. Until then, please be patient. “
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Those in the Phase 1A category – healthcare professionals, emergency medical personnel and long-term care staff and residents – remain eligible for the vaccine, explained Do-Reynoso, but his department’s main focus has now shifted to giving vaccines to individuals in Phase 1B. This includes people aged 65 and over, farm workers, educators and childcare providers and emergency service personnel.
Find more information on the Department of Public Health website.
A few weeks ago, continued Do-Reynoso, the state announced a move to a new age-based system, focusing on those with underlying health problems. It was due to be implemented on March 15, “However, there are still many unknowns about how it will work,” she said. Now the new process is more likely to start sometime in late March. “We are still working closely with our health partners and in the coming weeks we will decide what this phase will be like,” she said.
During the same presentation, Dr. Henning Ansorg, a health officer from Santa Barbara, announced that in addition to our regular shipments of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, the county will receive 3,800 doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine as early as next week. Ansorg was optimistic about the new option, publicizing the various advantages it has over its two competitors.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one injection instead of two, explained Ansorg, produces less allergic and less severe reactions, is easier to transport and handle, and is “highly effective” in protecting people from the devastation of the virus. “I am predicting that this vaccine will become the preferred option for many people,” he said.
Despite all the good news, Ansorg reminded residents that Santa Barbara County is not yet clean. We are still stuck in the purple layer because infections continue to spread – 11.3 new cases per 100,000 people, according to the latest numbers, when we need to reach seven or less to reach the red layer. We must be careful. That means continuing to wear masks and avoiding meetings, Ansorg insisted, especially among families and supporters who are now watching high school athletes return to their home camps. “Please be patient and considerate,” he said.
As an additional argument for staying vigilant, Ansorg emphasized that frontline health workers are handling 322 active cases, 53 of whom are hospitalized. They also saw 422 people die. Last year “had a big impact on them,” he said. “You have no idea. They are emotionally drained from experiencing these lonely deaths in the hospital. It is touching to hear their stories.”
So while we should allow ourselves a moment to be proud of the progress we have made in eradicating the virus, Ansorg said, we must continue to hold the line. “We cannot be too hasty,” he said.
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