COVID continues to defy expectations, which has been the modus operandi of this highly adaptable virus since it sprang on the world in early 2020. Even with an 81 percent vaccination rate, 90,000 total cases, and unreported home tests, Santa Barbara County is nonetheless seeing an increasing spread, often through asymptomatic cases, as renewed infections in the jail demonstrate. At UC Santa Barbara, masks were on again indoors as of Thursday.
Santa Barbara County's main jail cleared its last COVID case on March 2, after fighting it since December 8. This Wednesday, the testing system at the jail identified 12 positive inmates; one more was found on Friday. Of the 13 cases, 11 showed no symptoms, and all are being kept separated from other inmates. Visitation was suspended at the jail, and inmates' court appearances are being rescheduled to avoid moving anyone who hasn't cleared quarantine.
At UCSB, a significant increase in cases led to the indoor masking policy, only 10 days after the university canceled a required daily screening survey that barred symptomatic students and faculty from indoor spaces. Chancellor Henry Yang and other administrators urged them to take advantage of the no-cost PCR testing available on campus. With graduation ceremonies beginning June 10, media relations manager Kiki Reyes said that the outdoor ceremonies will not be affected but other indoor celebrations that take place on campus will, through to June 12.