Lompoc prison confirms 65 additional COVID-19 cases; community testing sites to open in Lompoc, Santa Barbara

santamariatimes ^ | 06 May 20 | Laura Place

[hapnHal]

An additional 65 inmates at the federal penitentiary in Lompoc have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Since the prison's first case was announced on March 31, a total of 172 inmates have been confirmed for the virus, one of whom has died. On Tuesday, prison administrators announced plans to test all low-security inmates.  " A significant rise in the number of confirmed cases, primarily due to the mass testing that began at the federal prison earlier this week," said Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Department Director. Do Reynoso added that while some inmates who tested positive have not been outwardly symptomatic or have only mild cases of the virus, a small number are under intensive care for severe symptoms.

Wednesday marked the opening day of a Hospital Care Unit at the prison complex. The hospital was constructed in under a month as officials rushed to meet the rising case numbers among inmates and prevent local hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. 

Do-Reynoso said. County COVID-19 cases, along with 65 cases among inmates, four additional cases were confirmed in the county Wednesday for a total of 613 cases. Three of the new cases are individuals from Santa Maria and one is from the city of Lompoc.

A total of 335 individuals have now recovered. This number has dropped from previous days after the Centers for Disease Control extended the official recovery period from seven to 10 days, causing the county's data to change. Of the remaining active cases, 43 are recovering at home and 24 have been hospitalized, with 10 under intensive care.Public Health officials announced the ninth COVID-19-related death in the county Tuesday.

The individual was a Santa Barbara resident in their 40s with underlying health conditions. According to Public Health data, updates are pending on the 171 confirmed inmates at the Lompoc prison along with 11 other individuals.

[rktman]

Hmmmm. Sounds like we’re nearing the point of “COVID-19=automatic ICU treatment”. Sort of like “nyc will soon be under water=hundreds of feet of ocean swishing around town”.

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

Moved to Lompoc in ‘72. Nice little community. Heard its grown quite larger. Actually drove thru there about 4 years ago.

[G Larry]

I was stationed at VAFB 72-74 and lived in Lompoc and worked at Martin Marietta till 85.

I enjoyed it then, but visited in 96 and have no interest in going back.

[bagster]

So one guy died of the flu in the Federal pen and some others have the flu.

Sounds like the zombie apocalypse to me. Let's all panic.

Also, let's have some details on the dead guy. Age, health status, etc.

It's just the flu, bro.

p.s. I grew up in Lompoc. Great little town.

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

Was stationed at Lackland in ‘62 & ‘63. Then Misawa 64 & 65. Misawa was out in the middle of nowhere. :<(((