SLO County adds 1 new coronavirus case — and another hospitalized patient
San Luis Obispo County has added one coronavirus case Thursday, bringing the total local cases to 125, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Thursday, a majority of local patients who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus — 104— have completely recovered.
Sixteen patients are recovering at home, and four are hospitalized — with two in the intensive care unit.
One local patient has died from the virus.
As SLO County passed the one-month mark since the first coronvirus case, county officials announced Monday that they have started planning to phase out the shelter-at-home order in San Luis Obispo County.
But Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said Monday that 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.
SLO County COVID-19 patients by the numbers
The county’s public health lab conducted 29 COVID-19 tests between Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total to 790 with 48 positive results. Another 77 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 31, while Atascadero has 23 cases and Templeton has seven.
Arroyo Grande has 17 cases, San Luis Obispo has 14 cases, Morro Bay has six, Nipomo has 10 and Pismo Beach has five. Other areas have a total of 12 cases.
A majority of the patients — 73 in all — are 50 years old or older, and 46 cases have been confirmed in people 18 to 49 years old. Six children have tested positive.
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 16, 2020 at 12:26 PM.
