SLO County now has 21 confirmed cases of coronavirus
A week after its first confirmed case, San Luis Obispo County now has more than 20 local cases of coronavirus, Public Health officials announced on Saturday.
According to the Public Health Department’s ReadySLO.org website, 21 people have tested positive for COVID-19 as of 2 p.m. Saturday.
The latest geographic distribution of those patients is eight in the North County, seven in the South County, five on the coast and one in the San Luis Obispo central area.
Of those cases, nine are residents 65 or older and 12 are aged 19 to 64. No one 18 or under in the county has tested positive to date.
One of the cases is currently in the ICU, while the vast majority, 20, are recovering at home.
The county announced its first coronavirus case on Saturday, March 14. Since then, the number of cases has grown rapidly.
On Thursday, SLO county health director, Dr. Penny Borenstein said cases may reach the triple digits in several weeks’ time.
On Saturday’s news conference, emergency services director Wade Horton asked people to remember the 6-foot personal distance at grocery stores that are open.
Horton said the county will be able to deliver food and medicine to self-isolating seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses via a food and prescriptions for self-isolating residents program. People can sign up for food delivery on the ReadySLO.org website or call 805-543-2444 starting Monday.
Borenstein said that hospital capacity is satisfactory, because the regular influenza season is passing, and more beds, isolation rooms and intensive care beds are opening up.
The health chief also asked that physicians contact the county if they feel they do not have the necessary personal protective equipment and supplies. They can request additional supplies via the ReadySLO.org website, too.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Health officials urge those who exhibit these symptoms to stay home, avoid contact with others, and call their health care provider or urgent care clinic before seeking medical care to receive safe arrival instructions, if directed to do so.
Go to the emergency room only if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations or call the Public Health information line at 805-788-2903.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 2:33 PM.