SLO County sees highest number of new coronavirus cases in 3 weeks
Eight new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday, bringing the total to 142, according to ReadySLO.org.
This jump in cases comes after two and a half weeks with fewer than five new reported cases each day.
Despite the increase in new cases, county officials announced Wednesday that they will allow four additional sectors of business, including fabric stores, drive-in movie theaters and janitorial and cleaning services, to reopen. In addition, houses of worship can have drive in services, the county said.
The county Public Health Lab conducted 24 additional tests from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total to 909 tests with 49 positive results.
However, the eight additional cases were reported from private labs. In total, private labs have confirmed 93 of the local COVID-19 cases.
The county is still trying to get complete data from the private labs.
On Monday, however, Public Health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said she believes private labs are testing three times as much as the Public Health Lab based on data the county received about the number of tests private labs conducted last week — which was around 400 tests, she said.
Coronavirus cases by the numbers
Of the people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, 118 have recovered, according to the county Public Health Department.
Twenty-two patients are recovering at home, and one patient is receiving treatment at a hospital in the intensive care unit.
One county patient has died from the virus.
More than half of the confirmed cases are located in North County.
There are 38 coronavirus cases in Paso Robles and 23 in Atascadero.
San Miguel now has six cases.
Arroyo Grande has 19 cases, San Luis Obispo has 15 and Nipomo has 12.
Templeton has seven cases, Morro Bay has six and Pismo Beach has six. The remaining 10 patients live in communities that have less than five confirmed cases in the city or town.
Of the county’s COVID-19 patients, 52 are 18 to 49 years old. Forty-four patients are 50 to 64 years old, and another 40 patients are 65 and older.
Six patients are 17 or younger.
When, where to get COVID-19 test
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.
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.
County health officials are urging people to get tested if they experience even mild respiratory illness symptoms. However, the Public Health Lab still operates at a capacity of only about 50 tests per day.
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 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 22, 2020 at 3:31 PM.
