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Santa Barbara County Health Officials Worried About Major Increase In Coronavirus Cases

Santa Barbara County health officials are concerned about a spike in new coronavirus cases, and an increase in the number of hospitalizations.  They say while there is still solid empty hospital capacity, they are also worried about the potential for intensive care units  to fill up rapidly.

The county is one of 13 on a state watch list for high guidance numbers (that number dropped to 11 statewide after the story aired Monday morning). The guidance includes key factors used by the state to allow reopenings, like hospitalizations and hospital capacity.

County health officials think part of the increase is due to people becoming more active around Memorial Day, and the week after.  They say they are concerned that more people seem to be disregarding safety steps like social distancing and masks.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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