SLO County sees another jump in coronavirus cases; 8 CMC inmates have tested positive
San Luis Obispo County added eight new coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the total to 181 people who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to ReadySLO.org.
Eight inmates from the California Men’s Colony are among those who tested positive, SLO County confirmed Wednesday. Five of the eight cases reported Wednesday are inmates, and the additional new cases are from Paso Robles and Atascadero.
This is the fourth time since last Wednesday that the county has had more than five new cases per day.
On Friday, the county saw its highest single-day increase with 14 cases, many of whom Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein were from one household contact.
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, 73 cases are person-to-person contact, 49 are travel related.
The eight new cases were all transmitted by person-to-person contact.
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.
Forty patients are recovering at home. Five 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 the North County.
Paso Robles has the highest concentration with 58 cases.
Atascadero has 31 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 10 cases.
Most of the people in the county who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 are age 50 or older. Fifty-five people 50 to 64 years old tested positive, as did 43 people 65 and older.
71 people who tested positive are 18 to 49 years old, and 12 cases occurred in residents 17 and younger.
Private labs conducted 50 tests from Tuesday to Wednesday, totaling 1,608 tests since April 13, according to the county. And the County Public Health Lab has now tested a total of 1,214 residents, with 56 tests conducted from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Combined, private and public labs have conducted at least 2,822 tests.
The county’s lab has reported 62 positive results. The remaining 119 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 29, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
