A tenth coronavirus death is now being reported on the Central and South Coasts, with the total number of people with the virus approaching 600.
A seventh death has been reported in Ventura County.
Details about it haven’t been released. Santa Barbara County has had two deaths, and San Luis Obispo County one. Most of the deaths have involved people 60 and above with pre-existing health issues.
The number of diagnosed cases in the region now stands at 593.
Ventura County has 263 diagnosed cases, Santa Barbara County 228, and San Luis Obispo County 102. Santa Barbara County’s numbers include more than 40 inmates, and staff members at the federal prison in Lompoc.
But, Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg is optimistic over the county’s efforts to stop the virus. He says the increase in numbers has followed a linear path, and not the spike which had been feared.
Ansorg says so far, the county is meeting the goal of limiting coronavirus spread, thanks to the efforts of county residents.