Coronavirus updates: Campsites closed; Morro Bay hotline; Pismo Preserve closed
Entering the second week since the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in San Luis Obispo County, the number of local people infected continues to rise.
Meanwhile, the county and local businesses are adjusting to the new directive to stay at home and prevent the spread of the virulent disease.
Here’s the latest info on what is happening with the coronavirus outbreak in San Luis Obispo County:
33 SLO County residents with coronavirus
According to the county Public Health Department’s ReadySLO.org website, 33 people have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon.
Two of the cases are Arroyo Grande High School students, according to county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein.
An additional person below the age of 19 has also tested positive as of Monday, according to data from the Public Health Department.
The latest geographic distribution of confirmed cases shows there are 12 in the North County, 12 in the South County, seven on the coast and two in the San Luis Obispo central area.
One patient is in the hospital and one is in ICU, the health department says, while the rest are home. Three patients have reportedly recovered.
Campsites closed
Those looking for outdoor adventures can access local parks, beaches and natural areas during San Luis Obispo County’s shelter-at home-order.
But even as some existing camping reservations are being honored, no reservations for campgrounds are currently being taken at local campsites around San Luis Obispo County.
California State Parks, which includes locations in Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, has “temporarily closed all campgrounds in the state park system to support state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).”
Restaurants offer food to go
Now that everyone has been ordered to stay at home as much as possible, and restaurants have been ordered to shutter their dining rooms, you may be wondering how you can support your favorite local eateries.
Many restaurants are offering to-go or curbside pickup options during the shutdown.
Churches move services online
San Luis Obispo County church congregations are finding creative ways to reach out to members and provide worship services — even when the coronavirus outbreak keeps them apart.
Many local houses of worship have started broadcasting their services remotely and checking up on members who may be feeling isolated, especially the elderly.
Morro Bay launches hotline, volunteer group
Morro Bay has launched a special coronavirus hotline operated by city staff and local volunteer group, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters. The number is 805-772-6278.
The hotline is mean to help community members and Morro Bay’s vulnerable high-risk population “with any needs they many have,” according to the news release. This could include picking up and delivering meals, groceries, medications and household items.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be part of such a caring community and have received numerous inquiries from residents who want to help those in greatest need here,” Morro Bay Mayor John Headding said in the release. “We as a City Council feel it is imperative for the city to help facilitate volunteerism, especially so during these unprecedented and challenging times. We are a strong, caring community and it is through this community spirit of generosity and resiliency that we will pull through this situation together.”
Those interested in volunteering can call the hotline or complete the volunteer form on the city’s website at www.morrobayca/covid19. For questions regarding the VOAD program, email VOAD@morrobayca.gov.
The city is also offering services like its R.U.Ok program where residents can sign up for daily wellness calls, lists of restaurants with meal take-out and delivery services and local business resources. The city has also partnered with the Food Bank of San Luis Obispo to provide food to those isolating themselves in their homes.
Transitions-Mental Health has message of hope for SLO Community
Transitions-Mental Health Association took the opportunity Friday to update the message board outside its High Street office with a note of encouragement for the San Luis Obispo community.
“We will move through this challenge together,” read the marquee Friday afternoon.
Every Friday, the group updates its message board to give notes of encouragement to passersby. Last week, the organization felt it was especially necessary to try to help the San Luis Obispo community as it adjust to the new reality of a global pandemic, community engagement director Michael Kaplan told The Tribune.
“It feels like the news is going hyper fast but our lives personally are slowing down,” he said. “We just think it is a great opportunity to send messages to the community that are hopeful, that are optimistic, that remind them to take care of themselves, that remind them about important events that might be going on in the community.”
Kaplan said Transitions-Mental Health is posting tips on its Facebook page every day on how people can take care of themselves and spend their time while they are sheltering at home.
“And absolutely, let’s be kind to each other and let’s know that we’re all moving through this together,” he said. “And we look forward to seeing everybody on the other side.”
Bed Bath & Beyond closing stores
Bed Bath & Beyond announced Sunday it would temporarily close all of its retail locations across the United States and Canada beginning Monday.
The actions are part of ongoing efforts to help reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and means that some 1,325 locations will be closed to the public until April 3.
The chain will provide all associates impacted by these store closures with applicable pay and benefits for this period.
“Our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers and associates,” Mark Tritton, president and CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond, said in the news release. “We will do our part to slow the spread of this virus by closing the vast majority of stores across our retail operations.”
— The Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
Pismo Preserve closes to public
Officials on Monday closed the popular Pismo Preserve coastal trails after crowds flocked to the destination over the weekend — creating concerns about coronavirus transmission.
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, which oversees the 11 miles of trails, opted to close the hiking area after issuing warnings urging visitors to maintain proper social distancing protocol.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 10:08 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Campsites closed; Morro Bay hotline; Pismo Preserve closed."
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