Coronavirus updates: SLO considers rent freeze, new website to help local businesses
San Luis Obispo County had 102 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, and those include a resident in a local senior living facility who tested positive for COVID-19.
While the county has seen a slower uptick in new cases than expected this week, the Cal Poly Alternate Care Site opened Tuesday to treat coronavirus patients who need some care, but not intensive care.
Meanwhile, one of the largest employers in San Luis Obispo County has remained open, with some modifications.
Here are your local updates for Wednesday:
Economic action coalition launches website to help local businesses
San Luis Obispo County does not have a set date for when non-essential businesses will be allowed to reopen locally as coronavirus continues to spread.
Economic action coalition Reach — formerly known as the Hourglass Project — has launched a website to aide businesses who are suffering because of coronavirus. The organization is made up of public, civic, and private partnerships throughout the local business community and local government
“We recognize the severe economic hardships across communities and households here on the Central Coast,” Wade Horton, county emergency services director and administrative officer, said at a Wednesday news briefing.
RecoverCentralCoast.org has resources from various organizations all in one place, including economic relief and stimulus opportunities, cash aid, guidelines for essential businesses, job opportunities and resources for nonprofit organizations, Reach CEO Melissa James said in a news release release.
SLO City Council considers rent freeze
The San Luis Obispo City Council won’t pursue a proposed resolution on canceling rent and mortgages during the coronavirus pandemic’s shelter-at-home period, despite support from the city’s mayor.
The rent freeze was proposed because of the many people who have lost their jobs during the shelter-at-home order.
“We’re trying to figure out how we can solve this huge problem of renters not being able to pay their rent for a significant amount of time, maybe as long as six months, as they try to cover costs for food, medicine and other resources without income,” Mayor Heidi Harmon told The Tribune. “Housing is a fundamental right and I don’t think people should be forced out of their homes because they’ve lost their jobs.”
SLO County has 102 confirmed coronavirus cases
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department confirmed there were three new cases of coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 102.
The Public Health Lab performed 42 new COVID-19 tests from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total number tests to 570. Of the 102 cases, 43 of the positive tests have come from the Public Health Lab, and 59 positive tests were conducted at private labs.
The majority of the county’s COVID-19 patients — 73 people — have completely recovered from the virus.
Twenty-five patients are recovering at home, and three patients have been hospitalized, all of whom are in the intensive care unit.
One county patient has died from COVID-19.
City of SLO doubes fines for noise, unruly gatherings
In response to reports of people not abiding social distancing and shelter at home orders, the San Luis Obispo City Council voted to activate so-called “safety enhancement zones.”
In a unanimous vote, the council approved a request by the police department to charge up to twice the standard fine, and up to $1,000 for safety issues such as so-called “unruly gatherings,” noise, public urination and open containers of alcohol.
The doubled fines will last throughout the duration of the shelter-at-home order.
How Diablo County power plant is coping with coronavirus
While many businesses in the county have had to close due to shelter at home orders, one of the largest employers in San Luis Obispo, is still operational.
Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant has implemented new measures to ensure the safety of its workers and customers but is running much the same as usual, according to PG&E spokeswoman Suzanne Hosn.
Resident at SLO senior living facility tests positive
A resident in an apartment building for low-income seniors in San Luis Obispo is one of the 99 people countywide to have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the nonprofit that runs the facility.
HumanGood announced on its website in late March that a positive coronavirus case was identified at Judson Terrace Lodge. The facility had not reported any spread to other seniors or staff as of Tuesday.
Paso Robles pizzeria starts photo contest
Paso Robles pizzeria Sweet Lew’s has started a pizza photo contest with hundreds of dollars worth in prizes.
To enter the contests, participants should post photos of them and their families eating pizza at home and tag Sweet Lew’s on Instagram or Facebook and caption the photo with #pasopizzanight, the Paso Robles Daily News reported.
The pizza parlor has been gathering gift cards and prizes from local businesses including Uncorked Wine Tours, Alta Colina Winery, The Ravine Waterpark, Kennedy Club Fitness, and Paso Robles Sports Club.
Winners will be chosen at the end of May.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: SLO considers rent freeze, new website to help local businesses."