Santa Barbara Public Health Receives $6.1 Million COVID-19 Grant

Public Health’s efforts to “box in” the coronavirus got a $6.1 million boost from the federal Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in the form of a grant from the state, which the Board of Supervisors accepted on October 13. The infusion of funds underscores the massive increase in contact tracing, testing, outreach, and reporting that Santa Barbara County’s health department personnel have diligently tackled since COVID-19 arrived in the county in April.

Suzanne Jacobson, the department’s financial officer and deputy director, explained after the hearing that the funds were retroactive to May 18 and could be used through November 17, 2022. One quarter of it — or $1,528,134 — was added to Public Health’s approximately $103 million budget for this fiscal year; the department addresses a wide range of cares from foodborne illnesses and children’s health to animal control. Out of the new funds, an epidemiologist/biostatistician will be brought on staff, as well as a second assistant Health Officer to provide support to that position, which is on duty 24/7. Jacobson said an assistant has been working with Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county’s Health Officer, in the arena of potential hotspots like skilled nursing facilities to make sure infection prevention protocols are complete. The second assistant has been on contract and is a formerly retired pediatrician — who will carry the title “infection preventivist” — whose focus will be on school reopenings.