A month after first coronavirus case, SLO County adds 3 new COVID-19 cases

Tuesday marks one month since San Luis Obispo County confirmed its first coronavirus case.

Since then, the total number of local COVID-19 patients has grown to 120, with three new cases added Tuesday, according to ReadySLO.org.

As the county continues to test for the coronavirus using nasal swab tests, the number of new cases each day has remained low.

On Monday, the county announced it has started planning to phase out the shelter-at-home order in San Luis Obispo County.

Locally, a majority of the patients who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus — 101 — have completely recovered, as of Tuesday.

Fifteen patients are recovering at home, and three are hospitalized — with two in the intensive care unit.

No one had been admitted into the Cal Poly Alternate Care Site as of Tuesday, according to ReadySLO.org.

One local patient has died from the virus.

Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said it will be at least another two weeks before the county can have a better idea of when and if the county should allow nonessential businesses to reopen or if a peak is still yet to come.

For now, Borenstein said the county has been able to flatten the curve with the current measures in place.

Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County added 17 new cases Monday, bringing its total to 284 cases with two deaths. Of Santa Barbara County’s total cases, 67 are located in Santa Maria, according to the Santa Barbara County Health Department.

SLO County COVID-19 patients by the numbers

The county’s public health lab conducted 22 COVID-19 tests between Monday and Tuesday, bringing the total to 749 with 47 positive results Another 73 positive tests were conducted at private labs.

The majority of confirmed cases come from the North County.

Paso Robles still has the highest number of cases with 30, while Atascadero has 23 cases and Templeton has seven.

Arroyo Grande has 16 cases, San Luis Obispo has 12 cases, Morro Bay has six and Nipomo has eight cases.

Meanwhile, Pismo Beach now has five cases. Other areas have a total of 13 cases.

A majority of the patients — 70 in all — are 50 years old or older, and 44 cases have been confirmed in people 18 to 49 years old. Six children have tested positive, adding one since Monday.

When and where you should get tested for coronavirus

Symptoms of the virus that causes 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’ effects.

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 around 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 14, 2020 at 12:36 PM.