SLO County adds 3 new coronavirus cases. More than 2,500 residents have been tested so far
Of the more than 2,500 San Luis Obispo County residents tested for coronavirus by public and private labs, 169 have tested positive, with three new cases Monday, according to ReadySLO.org.
The county added one new case Sunday, two new cases on Saturday, and 14 on Friday — the largest single-day jump in confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the first local person tested positive on March 14.
For the first time, the county has reported the number of tests conducted by private labs on ReadySLO.org with data going back to April 13, although private labs started testing before then.
Private labs have conducted 1,451 tests as of April 13, according to the county.
The County Public Health Lab has now tested a total of 1,141 residents, but only conducted eight tests from Sunday to Monday. Combined, private and public labs have conducted at least 2,592 tests.
The county’s lab has reported 55 positive results. The remaining 114 positive tests were conducted at private labs.
SLO County COVID-19 cases by the numbers
Of the total cases, 126 residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered, according to county Public Health officials.
Thirty-eight patients are recovering at home. Four patients are in the hospital, and no one is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
One local COVID-19 patient has died from the virus.
More than half the county’s cases are in North County.
Paso Robles has the highest concentration with 54, with three new cases Monday.
Atascadero has 28 cases, while Templeton and San Miguel have seven cases each.
Arroyo Grande has 19 cases, Nipomo has and San Luis Obispo have 14, Pismo Beach has seven, Morro Bay has six cases and other areas have 12 cases.
Most of the people in the county who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 are age 50 or older. Fifty-one people 50 to 64 years old tested positive, as did 43 people 65 and older.
Sixty-four people who tested positive are 18 to 49 years old, and 11 cases occurred in residents 17 and younger. One of the most recent cases was confirmed in a minor.
When and where to get a 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 people with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Health officials urge those who exhibit symptoms to stay home, avoid contact with others and call their health care 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.
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 27, 2020 at 12:22 PM.
