Coronavirus updates: SLO County sees highest number of active cases, more businesses reopen
It has been more than three months since the first COVID-19 case in San Luis Obispo County was confirmed. As of Monday, the county had 347 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The county reported a total of 23 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, with 14 new cases on Saturday, two on Sunday and seven on Monday.
As more business sectors begin to reopen, county officials urge people to remain diligent about limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County reported 28 new COVID-19 cases Saturday.
Here are your coronavirus updates for Monday.
SLO County adds 23 cases, sees highest number of active cases
San Luis Obispo County reported its highest number of active coronavirus cases on Monday, adding 23 new instances of COVID-19 since Friday, according to ReadySLO.org. A total of 347 local residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 since March.
The county no longer reports new cases over the weekend and includes them in Monday’s case count. According to the county, 14 new cases were reported Saturday, two were reported Sunday and seven were added today.
Monday’s count marks highest number of active cases in San Luis Obispo County, with 59 active cases. The county has only had more than 50 active cases at once a total of three times since mid-March — with 54 active cases March 28, and 53 active cases May 11.
Saturday’s 14-case increase is tied as the highest single-day increase. On April 24, San Luis Obispo County also recorded 14 new cases.
Paso Robles, Templeton and Grover Beach each added one new case. Arroyo Grande added five new cases, San Luis Obispo added two, Atascadero added four and Nipomo added six.
And as of Monday, there are now five cases in Los Osos.
Santa Barbara County sees surge in coronavirus cases
Santa Barbara County reported 28 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to just shy of 2,000 cases, according to the California Public Health Department.
On Friday, county public health officials reported a total of 1,971 cases, while the state reported 1,999 cases on Saturday.
Santa Barbara County officials attributed the county’s recent surge, in large part, to an increase in testing.
Is SLO County experiencing ‘pandemic fatigue’ ?
San Luis Obispo County saw a slight uptick last week in the number of positive local coronavirus cases after months of relatively low case counts.
Public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said that could be a result of “pandemic fatigue.”
On June 11, the county reported more than 10 positive new cases for the first time since April. Other days saw more than five new cases added a day.
Borenstein said a slight uptick in the numbers is not unusual given recent business reopenings, but she urged people to remain vigilant in trying to reduce the spread of the virus.
SLO County movie theaters get go-ahead to reopen
San Luis Obispo County public health officer Penny Borenstein announced Friday that local movie theaters have been given the go ahead to reopen, after months-long coronavirus closures.
They’ll be opening with some changes, however, per the state’s reopening recommendations.
Occupancy in theaters must be 25% of normal, or a maximum of 100 people — whichever is lower.
To help with this, seats could be closed or reconfigured to maintain social distancing. Some seats could be covered with disposable or washable seat covers that could be replaced between uses.
The state’s guidance also says face coverings should be worn by patrons, at least when entering or exiting the theater and when coming in contact with employees.
Tattoo shops, personal care salons may be able to reopen this week
San Luis Obispo County public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said her department is considering whether personal service businesses such as tattoo shops, nail salons, massage therapists and skincare or cosmetology services could soon reopen.
Borenstein said the review of state guidance released last week could be completed by June 19, at which point those businesses would be allowed to reopen, she said.
The businesses that are under consideration include those offering facials, electrolysis, waxing, skin care, cosmetology services, nail salon services, body art, tattoos, piercings and massage therapy in non-healthcare settings.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
