UPDATE: COVID-19-related deaths rise to 27 in Santa Barbara Co.

UPDATE (5:38 p.m.) – Two more deaths were reported Monday in Santa Barbara County, bringing the county’s total COVID-19-related deaths to 27.

Health officials say both people were over the age of 80 and had underlying health conditions.

One death was reportedly related to the COVID-19 outbreak at Country Oaks Care Center.

So far, nine deaths have been linked to the center’s outbreak and more than 50 patients and staff have tested positive.

As of Monday evening, health officials say there are 2,446 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Santa Barbara County reported three additional deaths this past Saturday among people who tested positive for COVID-19.

Health officials say all three patients lived in Santa Maria, were over the age of 70, and had underlying health conditions. All of the deaths are related to the outbreak at the Country Oaks Care Center.

The County Public Health Department is reporting a total of 2,421 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of June 21, with 989 cases at the federal prison in Lompoc, 1,432 community cases, and 1,924 individuals fully recovered. An update on the total number of cases is expected by late Monday afternoon.

For more information on the county’s COVID-19 response, visit https://publichealthsbc.org/.