Coronavirus

SLO County adds single new coronavirus case

San Luis Obispo County added one new coronavirus case Monday, bringing the total of local COVID-19 cases to 202.

On Sunday, 50 days after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in San Luis Obispo County, the county passed 200 cases. A total of 13 cases were added over the weekend.

Public Health officials have determined 49 of the county’s COVID-19 cases were acquired during travel, 83 cases were acquired through person-to-person contact with a known case and 64 cases were acquired through community spread.

Meanwhile, six cases, including the most recent case, were acquired through unknown means, officials said.

SLO County COVID-19 cases by the numbers

The county’s Public Health and private labs have conducted a total of more than 3,400 tests. Seventy of the positive cases were reported by the Public Health Lab and 132 were reported by private labs.

Of the 202 people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, 156 people have completely recovered, 40 are recovering at home.

Five people are receiving treatment in the hospital, two fewer people than on Sunday. And three hospitalized patients are in the intensive care unit.

One local resident has died from COVID-19.

The new COVID-19 case is a Nipomo resident.

The North County, however, still has more than half of the county’s confirmed cases.

Paso Robles now has 68 cases, Atascadero has 33 cases, San Miguel has eight, and Templeton has seven.

Arroyo Grande has 19, Nipomo has 16 and San Luis Obispo has 15 cases. Pismo Beach has seven, and Morro Bay has six.

Eleven inmates at the California Men’s Colony have now tested positive for COVID-19, and Public Health officials say they’re monitoring the state prison facility closely.

Other areas —which are defined as cities or towns with less than five cases each — have 12 cases.

Of those who’ve tested positive for COVID-19, 14 are age 17 or younger, 88 are 18 to 49 years old, 57 are 50 to 64 years old and 43 are age 65 and older.

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.

Free coronavirus test clinics

The county Public Health Department will soon open two free coronavirus testing clinics in Grover Beach and Paso Robles that will be able to administer a combined 260 tests.

Who can get tested at the clinics?

  • Healthcare workers and first responders
  • 65 and older, or any age with chronic medical conditions
  • Residents or employees of congregate care living facilities
  • Workers in essential jobs, which includes utilities, grocery, food supply, and public employees
  • Anyone exhibiting one or more symptoms of COVID-19

When and where? Testing will be available by appointment only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Paso Robles Veterans Hall, 240 Scott St. in Paso Robles, and Ramona Garden Community Center, 993 Ramona Ave. in Grover Beach.

How do I schedule an appointment? Registration for appointments will begin May 2. The online registration link can be found at emergencySLO.org/en/state-sponsored-testing-sites or you can register by phone at 888-634-1123.

Testing will also continue through private healthcare providers, urgent care centers and the County Public Health Lab.

Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations.

This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 12:29 PM.

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Cassandra Garibay
The Tribune
Cassandra Garibay reports on housing throughout the San Joaquin Valley with Fresnoland at The Fresno Bee. Cassandra graduated from Cal Poly and was the breaking news and health reporter at The SLO Tribune prior to returning to the valley where she grew up. Cassandra is a two-time McClatchy President’s Award recipient. Send story ideas her way via email at cgaribay@fresnobee.com. Habla Español.
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