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State Helping Santa Barbara County After Spike In Coronavirus Related Hospitalizations

State health officials say they are working with Santa Barbara County to address a spike in coronavirus related hospitalizations. 

They say they’ve identified 13 counties which they think need help in dealing with specific coronavirus issues.  

Santa Barbara County is on the list. 

The state is reporting that there’s been a 27% increase in hospitalizations in the county. 

Hospitalizations are one of the key indicators used by the state to gauge how a county is doing in the battle against the virus.

State officials think multiple factors are responsible.  One is more cases due to people taking part in gatherings.  They also say people who have been getting the virus at their workplaces have been taking it home to family members.

And, they cite outbreaks at some skilled nursing facilities.  Five people have died, and nearly 40 residents and staff members have tested positive for coronavirus at a Santa Maria care facility.

The state is offering technical support to the county, as well as increased supplies.

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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