First San Luis Obispo County coronavirus death reported

San Luis Obispo County has its first coronavirus death, the Public Health Department confirmed Saturday.

According to a news release, a North County resident in their 80s has died due to COVID-19. The patient had underlying health conditions, was hospitalized and died Saturday, according to the release.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the patient’s loved ones,” San Luis Obispo County health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “As the number of local cases grow, this death is a sad milestone for all of us. Most cases of COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, yet this tragic death underscores the urgent need for us to take steps to protect residents who are at higher risk of developing serious illness.”

To date, the county has had 93 confirmed cases of coronavirus. On Saturday, no new local cases were reported for the first time since the outbreak began in mid-March.

Of the confirmed cases, 65 have recovered, 22 are currently recovering at home and five are hospitalized.

Older adults and individuals with health conditions (such as lung or heart disease, diabetes, and a compromised immune system) are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19, according to the release.

People at higher risk should stay home as much as possible and consider ways of getting food and prescriptions delivered through family, social, or commercial networks, according to the release.

This story was originally published April 4, 2020 at 5:32 PM.