Lompoc Prison Could Delay Reopening of Santa Barbara County
County Supervisor Gregg Hart speaking during Friday's press conference
By edhat staff
The COVID-19 outbreak at the Federal Penitentiary in Lompoc could delay reopening Santa Barbara County, officials announced during a press conference Friday afternoon.
Governor Newsom released new guidance and requirements to move into Phase 2 of reopening. The first two criteria state COVID-19 related deaths must not occur in the past 14 days, and there is no more than one case per 10,000 residents in that same time period.
Due to the circumstances at the Lompoc prison, Santa Barbara County fails that test. Approximately 95% of California also fails and will still be bound by the stay-at-home orders until the Governor lessens the restrictions.
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart stated these new requirements were not what officials were hoping and preparing for.
Gov. Newsom has previously stated the virus is still very contagious and any county that refuses to follow his orders may run the risk of losing financial assistance, said Hart.
LOMPOC PRISON
What makes Santa Barbara County's situation worse is the ever-increasing outbreak at the Lompoc Prison.
Public Health officials reported 311 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 310 cases belonging to the Lompoc prison outbreak. As well as two new deaths, one being an inmate.
Assuming the county doesn't have any other COVID-19 deaths in the next 14 days, the earliest date to slowly reopen would be May 23.
Making matters worse, county officials are being "constantly rebuffed" by prison authorities when trying to help the outbreak, said Hart.
The county is responsible for the tracking, monitoring, and reporting of COVID-19 cases at the federal penitentiary, but they have no authority to resolve the issues as it's overseen by the federal government, he said.
Hart continued explaining he has been contacted by numerous family members of inmates who have been unable to communicate with their loved ones or learn the status of their health.
"That is very concerning," he said.
Local state legislators are now jumping on board to appeal to Gov. Newsom and his office for help.
As of Friday evening, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is reporting 823 inmates and 25 staff members test positive for COVID-19.
County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg stated there will be a discrepancy between the prison's reporting and the Public Health Department's depending on when the data is received. However, 70% of inmates that test positive report mild to no symptoms.
Dr. Ansorg stated he's in constant communication with state officials and is confident they will work together to reopen the county quickly.
THE NUMBERS
The latest numbers show 1,032 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barba County, 582 cases are at the Federal Prison in Lompoc and 450 are community cases, and 463 have fully recovered.
Two hundred twenty-five people are recovering out-of-hospital, 39 are recovering in a hospital, 12 of whom are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 294 are pending an update. Eleven deaths have been reported.
Two deaths were reported today, one being an inmate at the Lompoc Prison, the other was an individual who resided in the City of Lompoc and was in their 60’s with underlying health conditions.
“We are saddened by the loss of these individuals and extend our deepest condolences to their friends and families. As we continue to battle the spread of COVID-19, we ask community members to continue doing their part by wearing facial coverings while in public and continuing to practice social distancing,” said Dr. Van Do-Reynoso, Director of Public Health.
Dr. Ansorg confirmed that hospitalization and ICU rates are remaining stable and hospitals are operating below capacity. The county numbers are currently very high as each inmate and staff member is being tested at the prison as part of general screening.
For more information on the location and ages of each case, publichealthsbc.org.
Comments Penalty Box
No Comments deleted due to down vote
7 Comments deleted by Administrator
57 Comments
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 09:13 AMHow f-ing stupid
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 09:33 AMThe federal goverment is turning out to be more than unhelpful. They're downright destructive.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:48 AMState Government
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 01:07 PMThe destructive policies here in Santa Barbara are the results of State, County and City governments, not the Feds.
Comment has been deleted by edhat
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 02:01 PMSAM: Correct. The federal government issued guidelines, made financial relief decisions, and mobilized assistance, but left all the policies in the hands of the States and local governments. That was a very smart move since it respects state's rights while insulating the federal government against blowback. This was inevitably going to be a bumpy ride with people's lives impacted by all sorts of ill-received policies. The majority of finger-pointing should be reserved for Governors and local leaders.
Comment has been deleted by edhat
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 02:33 PMOpps, forgot to edit before posting.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 02:36 PMNot a conspiracy at all. Deflection Fail.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 03:08 PMThe COVIDIOTS are out in force today. National disasters are the purview of the federal government. The conspiracy nonsense is just that.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:08 PM@1:52 PM- Good try but Trump was in China last November as well. Did Fox News not mention that? So you should ask the him the same absurd question.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:29 PMThere is nothing absurd about those questions @1:52 pm. I think they are vary valid questions.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 09:53 AMRecall Newsom Now!
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:04 AMWhat is motivating the BOP to be so secretive? Maybe the fact that it's beginning to look like more than half the prisoners are infected at Lompoc? Really doesn't instill confidence. They are used to operating completely independently of anything local, got complacent with that, seems like. I used to volunteer there long ago teaching meditation. A world unto itself.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:13 AMThere's a website for the BOP that shows over 800 cases in the two prisons and 25 staff infected. https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:58 AMWhat specifically are they “secretive” about? Their public website offers more than the county does
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:17 AMWatched the press conference, interesting that Hart was vague when asked by Noozhawk reporter, what specifically was county being “rebuffed” about. Hart was also evasive when reporter pressed him on the fact that Prison employees lived among others in the County so how can county reasonably expect the numbers in the prison to be distinct from County. It’s frustrating but reality is, every region has some congregate care or living facilities w high numbers. County wants prison population included in Census- so, they’ll be included for other purposes as well.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 12:48 PMCount the employees but not the prisoners ?
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:26 AMHuston, we have a problem
If we we only had Texas's Governor.
They are handling the "hot spots" such as prisons, nursing homes and flare up areas with restrictions and all other areas are open. The Prison has their own hospital now . They are isolated with no visitors allowed. There is no reason we should not be allowed to go to the next phase. As for deaths, one person in Santa Maria. My condolences to the family . I wish they would publish all deaths, wish financial deaths were a category from all other causes other than Covid so people have a reality check . This political game we are all victims of , Newsome has become Govornor Nuisance .
Both parties are using the moment to further their agendas that don't necessarily protect our best interests.
Slowly slipping into socialism right in front of our eyes. I'm beginning to fear the politics/ management, manipulated news more than the virus.
Open up everything please ,continue social distancing and require masks be worn while in public even outside with violations punishable by a large fine.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 12:37 PMSlipping into Socialism? Were workers have paid days off and health insurance so they don't have end up working while they're sick? I'll take that aspect.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 03:53 PMYou had me till the last part.
You all realize the face protection deal is a placebo don't you?
Ever here of a product for dogs called the Thunder Coat?
Silly humans.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:37 PMWe are not "slipping into socialism", we are running rapidly into fascism. Trump announced to day that his government is going to spend billions of dollars on buying products from private food industries to prop those businesses up. This is the person who ordered workers back into the meat industry despite the huge risk of Covid-19 infection they face. No executives of these businesses are being told to go onto the butcher shop floor and breath for 8 hour days.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:46 AMKeep them in prison where they belong and there won't be a problem for us law abiding citizens!
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:35 PMLCP--it is civilized of you that you not suggest we simply let them die and save the taxpayers the money for incarceration and medical treatment. You are a warm and considerate fellow American.
-
-
-
May 11, 2020 02:55 PMThank you @4:35. I think it's disgusting, sad that some commenters suggest groups of individuals should catch the disease in order to get rid of them. Really scary that Americans, or any human being would with this upon anyone.
-
-
-
May 11, 2020 02:56 PM-wish this upon anyone.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:33 PMWe are not "slipping into socialism", we are running rapidly into fascism. Trump announced to day that his government is going to spend billions of dollars on buying products from private food industries to prop those businesses up. This is the person who ordered workers back into the meat industry despite the huge risk of Covid-19 infection they face. No executives of these businesses are being told to go onto the butcher shop floor and breath for 8 hour days.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:56 PMIt's forced labor in hazardous conditions.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:51 PMI love watching Republicans lose their shorts over the governor who was elected by the majority. It amuses me.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:38 PMI love watching Democrats lose their shorts over the president who was elected by the majority. It amuses me. FIFY :)
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:41 PMExcept only low-information cons think that Trump was elected by a majority.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 07:22 PMHe wasn't elected by the majority though :)
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 04:55 PMMeanwhile the white house ok'd buying $5 masks from China - even though an American manufacturer offered to make them here in the states.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 05:38 PMMeanwhile, Gavin Newsome bought 990 million dollars worth of masks from China.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-20/gavin-newsom-n95-masks-byd-chinese-company-california-legislature
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:31 PMHe was given no alternative by the President. Each governor was to fend for him/herself. Instead of a national unified buying power we have 50 states and more territories vying with each other, allowing the vendors to constantly jack up prices. And, according to this morning's LA Time, substantial amounts of this deal have been recovered and abrogated. By the way, one of the middle men was the former Republican Attorney General of Georgia as I recall. Wonder how he got in this business?
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 06:50 PMThe story you’re referring to appears in today’s Washington Post, and after reading it I have one really important question. In the article Michael Bowen says of his company (Prestige Ameritech), “We still have four like-new N95 manufacturing lines…Reactivating these machines would be very difficult and very expensive but could be achieved in a dire situation…My phones are ringing now, so I don’t ‘need’ government business. I’m just letting you know that I can help you preserve our infrastructure if things ever get really bad. I’m a patriot first, businessman second.” The WP article continues, “In the end, the government did not take Bowen up on his offer. Even today, production lines that could be making more than 7 million masks a month sit dormant.” REALLY??? I thought his phone was ringing off the hook??? I know that I could not find N95 masks anywhere, and neither could anyone else. This exchange between Bowen was reportedly back on Jan. 23, which means that by now he could have made an additional 25 million mask as of today’s date (when this WP article was published).
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 07:07 PMMeanwhile the federal government is competing with the states for purchasing masks.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 07:22 PMWho cares about the government. The states compete to purchase masks so they can stockpile them and then complain they don't have enough. I'm talking about everyday people who are being ordered to wear masks, but can't buy them. Bowen's company could have made and sold 25 million N95 masks to American citizens who need them, but he didn't. He's says he's, "a patriot first, businessman second." No he's not, or he would have manufactured the masks. I think he's the opposite. I think he was looking for a lucrative government contract where he could justify selling the masks to the feds for $50/each because, "Reactivating these machines would be very difficult and very expensive."
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 07:37 PMYou conveniently left out the part where he is selling masks to FEMA at 79 cents a piece with existing working equipment. " On April 7, FEMA awarded Prestige a $9.5 million contract to provide a million N95 masks a month for one year, an order the company could fulfill without activating its dormant manufacturing lines. For the masks, Prestige charged the government 79 cents a piece."
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 08:06 PMI left it out because it's immaterial. Are you not following the conversation? This was about reactivating his dormant equipment (at great cost) and the government apparently had little interest. If you argue he wasn't going to put a surcharge on the masks, why didn't this great patriot just make them and sell them directly to the American citizens who have been clamoring for them? Why cross his arms and decide to keep the machines mothballed? There's something that doesn't add up about this story and it's too bad if you can't see that.
Comment has been deleted by edhat
Comment has been deleted by edhat
Comment has been deleted by edhat
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:01 PMYeah this story made no sense. Either the guy with the mothballed machines is a complete blowhard (best case scenario) or a crook... because his position and statements make no sense. He’s claiming to have the means to make millions of the products that literally every single government (and by extension person) desperately wants and is wildly overpaying for... but he won’t do it? What great cost and difficulty could it be to get new machines up and running to make a product that you literally could sell as many as you could make as fast as you could make them. That story needed to be fact checked by the WaPost as it was obviously At the very least wildly incomplete... And more probably total BS.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:01 PMYeah this story made no sense. Either the guy with the mothballed machines is a complete blowhard (best case scenario) or a crook... because his position and statements make no sense. He’s claiming to have the means to make millions of the products that literally every single government (and by extension person) desperately wants and is wildly overpaying for... but he won’t do it? What great cost and difficulty could it be to get new machines up and running to make a product that you literally could sell as many as you could make as fast as you could make them. That story needed to be fact checked by the WaPost as it was obviously At the very least wildly incomplete... And more probably total BS.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 10:59 PM@ 7:07 so the Federal government shouldn't be buying masks? Sounds like they're damned if they do (buy masks), damned if they dont (buy masks).
-
-
-
May 10, 2020 12:21 AMThere's a wealth of historical information about him, you just need to be willing and able to use Google.
-
-
-
May 10, 2020 12:30 AMKushner was assembling a team of handpicked corporate volunteers to procure protective equipment. The group, which included recent college graduates who had no experience with disaster response or supply procurement, had little success.
-
-
-
May 10, 2020 01:11 PM@ 4:55: where did you get that nonsense, unless you mean Newsom sent $1 Billion to Communist China for the $5 masks, which have yet to be delivered? Must have come from The Washington Compost or the Trump-hating NPR. The U.S exported masks to Communist China (3M Corporation), we did not buy them from there, they came from TAIWAN! From many sources, including Business Insider, "Taiwan made a donation of 500,000 masks to the US in order to supplement the dwindling national stockpile." So, as usual, more unsubstantiated, false. and twisted news from the MSM.
-
-
-
May 09, 2020 05:07 PMOutside of the Jail cases we only had 1 new case on Friday, 1. What happened happened to that surge we were supposedly going to have because of all the careless Beach goers? Did they all get locked up at Lompoc jail?
Pages