SLO County now has 107 coronavirus cases, as 3 new patients test positive
San Luis Obispo County added 3 newly confirmed coronavirus patients on Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 107, according to ReadySLO.org.
The number of new local cases of COVID-19 — the illlness caused by the new coronavirus — has remained low, even as Public Health officials have increased testing.
Public Health has encouraged even those with mild symptoms to seek testing, which will help provide a better understanding of the virus’ impact on the county.
“If you have a picture of a respiratory illness, be it sore throat with cough, or fatigue, body aches and chills, even absent the fever, we are very much recommending people with what looks like a respiratory illness, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms, be tested,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, the county’s Public Health officer, on Wednesday.
Borenstein said it appears the rate of new cases within the county appears to be slowing, and social distancing efforts are helping to flatten the transmission curve.
“As a community at large and as a county, we have been doing a fabulous job and we believe we’re seeing that in the results of seeing small numbers of new cases,” she said.
SLO County COVID-19 patients by the numbers
The county’s Public Health lab conducted 22 COVID-19 tests between Thursday and Friday, bringing the total to 639 with 44 positive results. Sixty-three positive tests were conducted at private labs.
Most COVID-19 patients — 83 people — have completely recovered from the virus, according to the Public Health Department. Twenty patients are recovering at home. Three patients have been hospitalized, and two of those patients are in the intensive care unit.
One local patient has died from the virus.
Most of the county’s coronavirus cases remain concentrated in the North County. Paso Robles has 29 cases, Atascadero has 21 cases and Templeton has six cases.
Throughout the rest of the county, Arroyo Grande has 14 cases, San Luis Obispo has 10 cases and Morro Bay and Nipomo each have six cases. Other areas have 15 cases.
When and where you should get tested
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Mild symptoms also include chills, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose and diarrhea.
Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Health officials urge those who exhibit symptoms to stay home, avoid contact with others and call their healthcare provider or urgent-care clinic before seeking medical care to receive safe arrival instructions, if directed to do so.
While the county is asking for more people to get tested if they have any respiratory illness symptoms, the Public Health Lab still only operates at a capacity of 50 tests per day.
People experiencing symptoms should first call their private health providers or an urgent care clinic. Providers that are accepting samples for testing can be found on the county’s website.
Potential patients who are experiencing the listed symptoms and are struggling to get tested can call the Public Health Department at 805-781-5500. However, Public Health officials cannot guarantee anyone a test.
Go to the emergency room only if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
The county has opened the Cal Poly Alternate Care site, which will be staffed by the Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
To volunteer for the medical corps auxiliary, sign up at HealthcareVolunteers.ca.gov and then email the San Luis Obispo Medical Corps coordinator at slomrc@gmail.com.
Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations.
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
