Seven new cases of COVID-19 reported at Santa Barbara County Jail

A Custody Deputy, a non-sworn staff member and five additional inmates have tested positive COVID-19 at the Santa Barbara County Jail.

One COVID-19 positive inmate has been released, according to a press release from the Santa Babara County Sheriff's Office.

Officials say the Custody Deputy and the non-sworn staff member were both tested on December 31, 2020, last worked on January 1, 2020 and received positive test results for COVID-19 on Saturday.

Both employees are asymptomatic and consistently wore masks while at work, according to a Sheriff's Office spokesperson.

This brings the total number of Sheriff’s Office employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic to 82.

Four inmates in one housing area and one inmate from another housing area in general population were found to have COVID-19 related symptoms on January 1, 2021, were rapid tested and found to be COVID-19 positive, the Sheriff's Office says.

All inmates in the associated housing areas were screened and offered testing. Over 100 inmates were tested, and all returned as negative, according to officials.

Both of the effected housing areas are being quarantined and closely monitored. Officials say eight of the COVID-19 positive inmates are being housed in negative-pressure housing areas, while four are housed together in a unit that is separate from the general population.

All COVID-19 positive inmates are consistently monitored by medical staff. One of the inmates who was positive upon intake has since been released, bringing the number of active COVID-19 positive inmates in the Main Jail to 12.