SLO County adds 4 new coronavirus cases
San Luis Obispo County had 173 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday, with four additional people testing positive for COVID-19, according to ReadySLO.org.
The county added three new coronavirus cases on Monday, one new case on Sunday, and two on Saturday.
The county is creating a phased reopening plan that will rely on Public Health data. The reopening plan, which will be released May 1, cannot go into affect until the governor has lifted the statewide shelter-at-home order or loosened the current restrictions.
As part of the plan, the county will pay close attention to how the virus spreads. Officials might choose to roll back shelter orders if, for example, community spread appears to be responsible for driving up the number of cases.
The county has determined that 59 cases are from community transmission, 65 cases are person-to-person contact, 49 are travel related.
SLO County COVID-19 cases by the numbers
Of the total cases, 135 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, with Paso Robles continuing to have new cases each day.
Paso Robles has the highest concentration with 57 cases.
Atascadero has 29 cases, while Templeton and San Miguel have seven cases each.
Arroyo Grande has 19 cases, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo have 14, Pismo Beach has seven, Morro Bay has six and other areas have 13 cases.
Most of the people in the county who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 are age 50 or older. Fifty-three people 50 to 64 years old tested positive, as did 43 people 65 and older.
Sixty-five people who tested positive are 18 to 49 years old, and 12 cases occurred in residents 17 and younger. One of the most recent cases was confirmed in a minor.
Private labs conducted 107 tests from Monday to Tuesday, totaling 1,558 tests since April 13, according to the county. And the County Public Health Lab has now tested a total of 1,158 residents, with 17 tests conducted from Monday to Tuesday.
Combined, private and public labs have conducted at least 2,716 tests.
The county’s lab has reported 55 positive results. The remaining 118 positive tests were conducted at private labs.
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 28, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
