Coronavirus updates: Nurses plan protest, 15 healthcare employees test positive

In San Luis Obispo County, the number of confirmed cases has reached 89. There have been no deaths within the county, but Santa Barbara County experienced its first death from the virus yesterday.

Mindbody, a San Luis Obispo- based tech company, announced it is laying off employees due to business disruptions worldwide.

And students and teachers are finding new ways to have fun at home.

Here are your coronavirus updates:

CA says schools will remain closed for the year, but SLO County isn’t so sure

California education officials on Wednesday said it’s unlikely students will be able to return to classrooms before summer break due to the coronavirus. However, Dr. James Brescia, county superintendent of schools, told The Tribune on Wednesday that local education officials are not yet announcing that in-person classes have been canceled for the remainder of the school year.

Phone call scamming seniors, pretending to be county delivery services

San Luis Obispo County is offering free delivery services to people who are self-isolating because of coronavirus. However, on Thursday, the county was made aware of a phone scam that was calling residents and requesting they pay for a gift card before they would be able to receive the delivery services.

Distirct 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold said the county’s services are completely free and anyone calling requesting money and claiming to be with the county is a scam. Arnold said the county has delivered more than 600 meals to those at risk of coronavirus.

Nurses plan a vigil in protest of lack of personal protective equipment

French Hospital nurses have planned a candle-light vigil Thursday at 8 p.m.. at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse in protest for more personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks.

Despite the shelter at home order, the nurses are asking all Central Coast nurses to join them. The group is demanding that all nurses, doctors, and hospital support staff be given maximum PPE, according to a flier.

Borenstein said she was unaware of any shortages as the county has been for the most part able to meet PPE demand of those who are directly dealing with coronavirus. Borenstein said it is up to each hospital to reach out to the county to request supplies.

15 healthcare employees in SLO County test positive for COVID-19

Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein announced that 15 of the 89 local cases are healthcare employees. Borenstein said the healthcare employees included those who work in hospitals, clinics and an emergency services provider.

The number also includes non-medical helathcare employees.

San Luis Obispo County confirms 6 new cases of coronavirus

San Luis Obispo Count has a total of 89 confirmed cases of coronavirus with six new cases as of Thursday, according to the county Public Health Department.

Eight people in the county are hospitalized, including three people who are in the intensive care unit.

Of the confirmed coronavirus cases, 33 county residents who tested positive for coronavirus are weathering the illness at home, according to ReadySLO.org.

The other 48 cases have completely recovered, the department said.

None of the county’s patients have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Mindbody lays off employees due to coronavirus

San Luis Obispo-based global tech company Mindbody is laying off workers as coronavirus throws businesses around the world into chaos.

The company confirmed Thursday that due to the impact of COVID-19 on its global customers and clients, it has decided to layoff and cut hours of some workers.

According to the statement, the company intends to hire back “as many employees as possible once the impacts of the pandemic subside.”

Community Foundation donates $30,000 to nonprofits

The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County has awarded more than $30,000 to five local nonprofit agencies through their Disaster Support Fund. The disaster fun was created as a result of coronavirus through donations from community members.

According to a news release, El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), RISE, SLO Food Bank, Stand Strong and 5 Cities Homeless Coalition have received a Rapid Response Grant. The money was given to nonprofits providing support for vulnerable communities in San Luis Obispo County affected by COVID-19.

The Community Foundation is asking for donations to be able to continue granting funds to local nonprofits.

Live Oak Music Festival canceled for 2020

Live Oak Music Festival is being postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Thursday.

The festival was slated to take place Father’s Day weekend at El Chorro Regional Park off Highway 1 north of San Luis Obispo. It’s now scheduled to take place at the park June 18 through 20, 2021.

Live Oak is a major fundraiser for public radio station KCBX FM, which broadcasts in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and southern Monterey counties.

The festival returned to San Luis Obispo County in 2019 after 29 years in Santa Barbara County.

Arroyo Grande teachers hold parade for students at home

Arroyo Grande elementary school teachers miss the students they’re used to seeing in their classrooms — so they decided to put on a car parade to greet them from a safe distance.

Ocean View Elementary School teachers announced the parade on Facebook on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, the group got a police escort as teachers drove through Arroyo Grande, their cars decorated with messages. Teachers in convertibles, trucks and vans waved to their students, while some kids brought colorful signs.

Northern Santa Barbara County resident dies from COVID-19

Santa Barbara County experienced its first death from the coronavirus on Wednesday, public health officials announced.

The person who died was a North County resident in their 60s, according to Dr. Henning Ansorg, the county’s Public Health officer.

The patient, who had underlying health conditions, died at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Ansorg said, and had been on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Why SLO County needs you to fill out census form

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau counts people who live in the country — and in the case of emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic, it could mean the difference between having the resources or not.

April 1 was Census Day. According to the bureau, that’s not a hard deadline, but a marker. When a person responds to the census, he or she should respond with where they live as of April 1, 2020.

County administrative officer Wade Horton said participation in the census will help San Luis Obispo County get the resources needed to respond to future emergencies because census data dictates the resources provided to local communities.

To fill out the census go to my2020census.gov.

This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 9:54 AM.