- Santa Barbara County public health officials announced updated mask guidance Monday as more cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant are reported across the state.
The public health department is now recommending all Santa Barbara County residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while indoors.
The public health department says the COVID-19 Delta variant is significantly more transmissible than the original coronavirus strain.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is urging everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to get one.
“We have a method of preventing severe illness and hospitalization from the COVID-19 Delta variant which we know is effective, and that is getting vaccinated,†said Santa Barbara County Public Health Director Dr.
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said it will revisit these recommendations over the next several weeks.
“It remains critically important that we continue to practice safety guidelines such as staying home if feeling ill, wear a mask in public indoor settings, avoid crowded events, and practice good hand hygiene,†said Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Dr.