••• The Independent has a running tally of the number of Covid-19 tests conducted in Santa Barbara County (currently 15), the number of positive cases (0), and the number of people being monitored (9). The graphic also includes statistics for California and the U.S. Meanwhile, a high schooler in Washington State made this website tracking cases by state and country. UPDATE: This just came in from the county: “The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department was alerted by a health care partner that multiple Isla Vista residents recently came into contact with someone in San Diego County that later tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, Dr. Henning Ansorg, Public Health Officer, has issued a mandatory quarantine for five individuals, which are known to be UCSB students. PHD is conducting testing for COVID-19 infection as needed and results will be shared, as they are known.” UPDATE #2: “The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is confirming the first positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a north county resident. This is the only confirmed case of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County at this time. […] This person has no history of travel within or outside the United States in the last six weeks, and it appears that this is a case of community transmission.”
••• “The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department announced that one person in SLO County has tested positive for the coronavirus. This is the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the county.” —KEYT
••• “All 20 school districts in Santa Barbara County will be closed indefinitely starting Monday, March 16. […] The closure of the schools means that more than 67,000 students in the county will be out of school, leaving many parents with no options but to stay home from work to watch their children.” —Independent
••• “UC Santa Barbara announced that they are extending their remote learning through the entire spring quarter due to the developing coronavirus situation.” And “UCSB is urging students who can to leave campus and take all of their personal items from their university-owned housing in an effort to lower the density on campus.” —KEYT
••• A rundown of local events being canceled. —KEYT
••• The Santa Barbara farmers’ markets will remain open, but patrons are expected to buy whatever they touch and staffers should handle produce or money, but not both. Yesterday’s felt emptier in the aisles, but the lines got as long as I’ve ever seen them. —Independent
••• “Santa Barbara County officials on Friday released ‘social distancing’ guidelines for food facilities to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. The measures are directed toward restaurants, bars, grocery stores, farmers markets and food distribution programs.” One suggestion: “Spacing tables 6 feet apart in dining areas or seating customer groups at least 6 feet apart, and spacing guests at a bar or counter seating at least 6 feet apart.” —Noozhawk
••• Restaurant owners are understandably concerned about their businesses being affected by the virus. —Independent
••• “Southern California ski resorts Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear Mountain will shut down starting Sunday amid concerns over COVID-19.” —KEYT
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