Federal health officials now confirm the one tentative coronavirus case on the South Coast is positive. Ventura County Public Health officials reported a test performed on a suspected coronavirus case in the county last week was positive. The Centers For Disease Control also conducted a test, and confirmed the county’s diagnosis. The person is reported to be recovering, and is in home quarantine.
County Health officials say 34 people have been tested in the county, with one positive result. 22 travelers with no symptoms remain in home quarantine in the county. There is no longer anyone in quarantine at Naval Base Ventura County.
There have been no diagnosed coronavirus cases in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo Counties. However, Santa Barbara County health officials say based on the spread of the virus around the country, they expect to see some cases in the county. They say they’ve been working with schools to develop plans should it become necessary to suspend traditional classes, but emphasize we aren’t at that point.
But, UC Santa Barbara is moving its classes online for the last few days of the winter quarter and the first weeks of the spring quarter in response to coronavirus concerns. In a letter to the campus community, Chancellor Henry Yang says instructors are being told to use alternative arrangements to in-person classes and exams. The letter says campus housing and dining facilities will remain open, but that undergraduate students traveling for spring break should be prepared to stay away through the month of April.
UCSB sports programs are also being impacted. The Chancellor’s letter says that games and matches will be fan-less events.
Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to get cruise lines to temporarily suspend ship visits to Santa Barbara. The city has been averaging more than ten a year. Despite the economic benefit, officials are concerned about the COVID-19 risk that we’ve seen linked to some cruise ships, where confined quarters have aided its spread.
Mike Wiltshire is the City of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront Director. He says Princess Cruise Lines has already cancelled a planned March 24th visit by a ship. The city and county have asked cruise lines to postpone the 10 other visits scheduled during the next few months.
City officials say while the Coast Guard, and federal health officials have the power to block ships from entering a port over health issues, if need be they also have some limited ability through restricting the use of city facilities.
