Coronavirus updates: SLO County allows more business sectors to open, adds 8 new cases
San Luis Obispo County had a total of 142 cases as of Wednesday, with eight new cases reported, according to ReadySLO.org.
County public health officials are planning to phase out the shelter-at-home order, but have built an alternate care site in the event of a surge.
While many businesses have had to close or operate differently, some are still hiring. And the SLO Food Bank recently received $25,000 in grant money for coronavirus relief aid.
Here are your local updates for Wednesday:
More businesses, activities reopen under shelter-at-home
San Luis Obispo County announced Wednesday that four sectors of business and activities will be allowed to reopen while still remaining within the guidelines of state and county shelter-at-home orders.
Drive-in movie theaters, fabric stores and cleaning and janitorial services may open and houses of worship may now have drive in services. The move came two days after the county allowed recreational fishing, pet grooming services to reopen.
SLO County sees highest number of new cases in 3 weeks
San Luis Obispo County added eight confirmed coronaviurs cases Wednesday, resulting in the highest number of new cases that the county has seen in three weeks, according to Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein.
The county now has 142 cases, according to ReadySLO.org.
SLO County companies hiring during coronavirus
The economy has slowed to a crawl amid the coronavirus pandemic and shelter-at-home orders, but job opportunities still exist in San Luis Obispo County.
According to Diana Marin, a business service specialist with San Luis Obispo County’s Workforce Development Board, there’s increased demand for workers in seven key sectors: grocery stores, food delivery, caregiving, banking, janitorial, security services and sales.
How SLO County built Cal Poly alternative care center
Within weeks of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in San Luis Obispo County, the Cal Poly Recreation Center transformed from a workout spot for college students into a makeshift hospital equipped to care for 165 sick patients.
If necessary, the facility could expand to more than 900 beds, staffed by a Medical Reserve Corps that already has 250 volunteers. So far, the price tag is at least $3.5 million for initial medical supplies and equipment.
SLO County groups get grants for coronavirus response
Phillips 66 San Francisco Refinery gave grants of $25,000 each to San Luis Obispo County’s Office of Emergency Services and the SLO Food Bank for coronavirus response efforts, according to a county news release.
According to the release, the county will use the funds for the Cal Poly Alternative Care Site.
The SLO Food Bank will use its grant money to feed local residents. The nonprofit currently needs $93,000 per week to meet the local demand, the release said.
The county and the SLO Food Bank deliver free food to residents who are self-isolating. And walk-in requests for food at the SLO Food Bank have increased significantly from January to April, according to the release.
Morro Bay opens boat launch
Morro Bay reopened modified activities in the city in line with the county’s new guidelines, including its public boat launch.
Along with the city of San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay’s new city guidelines follow the county’s expanded list of essential activities allowed to operate, including non-urgent surgery and outpatient practice; all construction; dog grooming; and recreational fishing.
Morro Bay opened up its public boat launch ramp for San Luis Obispo County residents beginning on Wednesday. The fish cleaning station will remain closed.
Participants in all approved activities must follow county guidelines for appropriate physical distancing, face covering and protective personal equipment guidelines.
Price gouging reports may increase
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said Tuesday that his office expects an increase in price gouging reports after changing laws and an increase in local retailers buying certain high-demand goods from overseas retailers at higher-than-standard costs.
Under the new April 4 order, businesses are prohibited from raising prices more than 10% of any item that it was previously selling on Feb. 4 — replacing the previous March 4 enforcement date, the District Attorney’s Office said.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 10:54 AM.
