Category: COVID-19

NAIL SERVICES AND PHYSICIAN-ORDERED ELECTROLYSIS ALLOWED TO OPERATE INDOORS WITH MODIFICATIONS

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) — Governor Newsom has announced a change related to the Personal Services industry sector. The State of California guidelines have been modified to allow nail services to resume indoor operations and physician-ordered electrolysis to reopen with modifications. Piercing, tattoo, and non-medical electrolysis services are still prohibited from reopening at this time. The County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg, has issued Health Officer Order 2020-12.8, which took full effect on September 23, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Guidance for personal care services like nail salons, tattoo parlors, and body waxing create a safer environment for workers and patrons. Businesses must review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for personal care services in their workplace.

The guidelines outline the State of California’s requirements that must be met before an establishment may reopen in conformance with local regulations. It is required that each business submit, or have an attestation form on file with the County of Santa Barbara before opening. For more information, visit www.recoverysbc.org.

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, residents may call 211 or visit www.publichealthsbc.org.

Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
Behavioral Wellness Crisis Line: (888) 868-1649

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ALL MASKS ARE NOT THE SAME: What You Need to Know About Masks

ALL MASKS ARE NOT THE SAME: What You Need to Know About Masks

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By Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP, Health Officer County of Santa Barbara, Department of Public Health

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Did you know that wearing cloth face coverings is one of the most powerful tools we have to slow and stop the spread of the coronavirus? But as masks and face coverings become commonplace, so have questions about which mask is best, and the overall effectiveness of masks.

In a recently published study, by Science Advances, the researchers unveiled a simple method to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of masks, analyzing more than a dozen different facial coverings ranging from hospital-grade N95 respirators to bandanas.

Of the 14 masks and other coverings tested, the study found that some cotton cloth masks are about as effective as standard surgical masks, while popular alternatives such as neck gaiters are made out of a more porous material and therefore not as protective as double layered cotton masks. Having said that, masks do not have to be perfect to be effective.  The more people wear a mask, the higher the level of protection is achieved for everyone.

It is important to first understand how the virus is transmitted and what masks are intended to do.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the purpose of wearing a mask is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control.

The CDC says that masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control.

We now have evidence that wearing a mask protects the wearer as well.

This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of masks is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others.  This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others and is not recommended by the CDC for source control.

Face Shields:

  • A face shield is primarily used for eye protection for the person wearing it. At this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides to people nearby from the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer. There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.

Please continue to wear a cloth face mask or surgical mask in public places and if you could get within six feet of others; it is one of the best ways we have to prevent spread of the virus.

Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP is  a graduate of Justus-Liebig-University Medical School Giessen, Germany. He completed Residency training in Munich, Germany and Tucson, AZ and is board certified in Family Practice (Germany) and Internal Medicine (USA). Dr. Ansorg is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is on the Medical Staff at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He has many years of experience in different clinical settings including 10 years of Private Practice and Urgent Care in Munich, Germany as well as 11 years of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics in Arizona as well as 4 years at the Santa Barbara County Health Care Center. Dr. Ansorg has served as Public Health Officer for Santa Barbara County since April 2019.

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Why Are We Seeing More Young People Contracting COVID-19?

Why Are We Seeing More Young People Contracting COVID-19?

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By Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP, Health Officer County of Santa Barbara, Department of Public Health

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Young people are not immune to COVID-19, as we have seen in recent weeks with a dramatic increase in virus cases in people ages 18-40.  Unfortunately, there are more young adults experiencing severe complications, facing hospitalizations and even dying from the virus, according to new data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Why are we seeing this surge in COVID-19 cases in younger people?  One reason may be a belief that as a young person, you are naturally healthy.  But unless you consistently have annual check-ups, you are less likely to detect any underlying health problems. Unfortunately, many young adults feel they are in good health and therefore don’t regularly see a healthcare provider until something goes wrong.

Another reason for the increase in young people may be social behaviors that are often prevalent with young adults, which have encouraged the virus to spread more easily among this population. As states around the country relaxed business closure restrictions, many young adults frequented bars, restaurants and beaches, which increased their vulnerability to contracting the virus. The risk is further increased by lack of adherence to key practices of social isolation, distancing protocols and wearing masks in public.

For the most part, older adults are more aware of their limitations as well as  their medical conditions, and they are usually socially isolating and taking all necessary precautions. It’s commonly known that as we age, we become more susceptible to disease and disability.

We strongly encourage everyone to adhere to Health Orders including wearing a mask, maintaining six-foot distancing from others, staying home whenever possible and remain at home when you are sick.

Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP is  a graduate of Justus-Liebig-University Medical School Giessen, Germany. He completed Residency training in Munich, Germany and Tucson, AZ and is board certified in Family Practice (Germany) and Internal Medicine (USA). Dr. Ansorg is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is on the Medical Staff at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He has many years of experience in different clinical settings including 10 years of Private Practice and Urgent Care in Munich, Germany as well as 11 years of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics in Arizona as well as 4 years at the Santa Barbara County Health Care Center. Dr. Ansorg has served as Public Health Officer for Santa Barbara County since April 2019.

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UPDATE FOR STATE-RUN COVID-19 TESTING SITES

State Testing Availability Opens to Entire Community

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Over the past four months, the state-run COVID-19 testing sites’ utilization has fluctuated based on the need of the community. These testing sites have seen lower utilization rates over the past few weeks which has left sites with open availability for testing. While we continue to emphasize the importance of those in higher risk environments receiving testing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is now encouraging all community members to be tested.

The importance of getting tested for COVID-19 has never been greater. The positivity rate and case rate, two of the most vital measures in determining our County’s allowance to move to the red tier, are dependent on having robust testing. When a county does not meet the State’s standard for testing, it can be penalized with increased positivity rate and case rate. In an effort to achieve widespread testing, community members can in turn help Santa Barbara County protect the health and safety of our neighbors while fulfilling requirements to progress in reopening.

“We are again opening up the state-run testing sites for all community members. Testing turnaround times have greatly improved thanks to state and local efforts and we are now seeing an average turnaround time for results of under 72 hours” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Director. “Detecting COVID-19 remains crucial to stopping the spread of this virus and one of the best tools we have to do just that is testing.”

State-run testing sites are located in Santa Maria, Buellton, and Goleta. Appointments can be made by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123 for those with no internet access. Testing is by appointment only.  

Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750

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HEALTH OFFICER ORDER ISSUED FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS ENTERING OR RESIDING IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND H-2A HOUSING

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) –The County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg, has issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-14.1 requiring temperature screening, self-evaluation, and reporting of COVID-19 cases at all homeless shelters and H-2A housing in the County of Santa Barbara. This Order is effective starting at 5:00 p.m. (PDT) September 14, 2020, continuing until 5:00 p.m. (PDT), on October 13, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the County of Santa Barbara Health Officer (“Health Officer”).

The new order stipulates the following:

  1. All individuals entering or residing in a homeless shelter or H-2A housing shall be screened for COVID-19 symptoms daily.
  2. If through daily screening an individual or resident has symptoms related to COVID-19, the individual must immediately self-isolate and notify the manger, operator, owner of the facility, or employer.
  3. The operator, manager, owner of homeless shelters or the employers providing H-2A housing must immediately notify the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department when there is one case of confirmed COVID-19 in the homeless shelter or H-2A housing.

In addition, the Health Officer strongly recommends that homeless shelters and H-2A housing utilize stable groups to reduce potential transmission of COVID-19 in these types of housing.

“The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department will partner with homeless shelters and H-2A housing operators to ensure that we mitigate the spread of    COVID-19.  Prevention efforts and quick response will facilitate the best possible outcomes for the residents in these congregate settings,” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Director.

For further details, please refer to the full Health Officer Order located here.

Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line: (888) 868-1649
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750

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