Santa Barbara County deputies test positive for coronavirus after patrolling Santa Maria

Two Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies who patrol the Santa Maria area have tested positive for coronavirus, the agency said.

The first deputy who was diagnosed with COVID-19 last worked March 21, began developing symptoms March 22 and was tested the following day, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy began self-isolation upon experiencing symptoms, the release said.

On March 27, five days after the test, the deputy was notified that they had a confirmed case of COVID-19, according to the release.

A deputy who had ridden with the first patient began experiencing symptoms March 27 and sought medical attention, the Sheriff’s Office said. The following day, the second deputy reportedly tested positive.

Both deputies are at home recovering in self-isolation, according to the release.

The Sheriff’s Office said it has been working with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to determine any risk to the public and other deputies. The agency also conducted a contact investigation and traced each of the deputies’ interactions with the public and coworkers.

No additional people have been identified or recommended for self-isolation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

As of Sunday, Santa Barbara County had 68 confirmed cases of COVID-19, Noozhawk reported.

The latest patients confirmed to have COVID-19 include two people living in unincorporated areas of northern Santa Barbara County unincorporated areas, and a person who lives in the city of Santa Maria.

This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 11:42 AM.