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In the past year or so, public power agencies have begun conducting what are called “PSPS,” or Public Power Safety Shutoff, during times of extreme fire conditions or excessively high heat and winds. In Santa Barbara County, those conditions are taking place this week, and a power shut-off is possible to help reduce the risk of wildfires.

Residents of Santa Barbara County have had plenty of practice dealing with high temperatures this summer – with a number of heatwaves already descending on our region in the past few months. And this weekend brings another one.

If you are an employer with a COVID-positive or suspected positive employee, there are actions you can take to limit the spread of the virus.

Employers can prepare and respond to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 by taking the following actions:

Beginning at 5 pm on Tuesday, May 26, the City of Lompoc will be joining the rest of Santa Barbara County in mandating most community members to wear face coverings in public.

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) reports an additional three (3) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county today. The total number of confirmed cases is 267. Additionally, the Santa Barbara County Call Center has transitioned to 2-1-1 that will provide the public access to general information about COVID-19 in multiple languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

California’s public health officials today released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19 for Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities. The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. The state also does not recommend Californians use N-95 or surgical masks, which are needed for our health care workers and first responders who will be there for when our lives at risk.

Read more on PublicHealthSBC.org

Chloroquine phosphate, when used without a prescription and supervision of a healthcare provider, can cause serious health consequences, including death. Clinicians and public health officials should discourage the public from misusing non-pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate (a chemical used in home aquariums). Clinicians should advise patients and the public that chloroquine, and the related compound hydroxychloroquine, should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare provider as prescribed medications.

Read more on emergency.cdc.gov

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) released a new information portal to augment its current website in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The new COVID-19 website is located at http://PublicHealthSBC.org with information available in English and Spanish. The site features daily status reports, general information about coronavirus, prevention tips, frequently asked questions, and links to information released by the California Department of Public Health Department (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. In an effort to reduce the possibility of spreading illness, we've made some adjustments to information released Friday afternoon:

Lompoc Valley Medical Center is actively preparing for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The situation with the virus is rapidly evolving and as guidance from State and Local Public Health Departments are updated, our procedures and protocols are revised accordingly. We will inform the community via our webpage, signage at our facilities, and other means, as developments occur that may impact your healthcare needs.

There are NO confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County at this time.

In order to protect the health of our community, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has issued a declaration of a local health emergency and health officer order for the postponement and cancellation of events, as indicated below, as well as social distancing measures.

Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19, the novel (new) coronavirus identified late last year in China, Lompoc Valley Medical Center has participated regularly in Santa Barbara County and statewide updates and planning calls along with other regional hospitals and clinics.

More than 9,000 pounds of unused and outdated medications were collected throughout Santa Barbara County in 2018.

Maria Fire in Ventura County Causing Smoke Impacts

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. —Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Alert through the weekend, or until conditions improve. The Maria Fire burning in Ventura County is producing smoke that may affect Santa Barbara County.

This month includes recognition of World Mental Health Day, a special reminder about global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against the social stigma of mental health.