SLO County adds 20 COVID-19 cases, the largest single-day increase so far
San Luis Obispo County experienced its largest single-day COVID-19 increase on Wednesday, adding 20 new cases, according to ReadySLO.org. A total of 376 local residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 since March.
The county also reported its highest number of active cases yet on Wednesday, breaking its record for a third day in a row, with 75 active cases — 15 more than the 60 reported Tuesday.
Prior to Wednesday, the highest single-day increase was 14 new COVID-19 cases, reported on both June 13 and April 24.
Seven recent cases were linked to an outbreak at a San Luis Obispo County elder care facility, according to a Tuesday news release. And most of the cases reported over the weekend were traced back to a graduation party and family contact, according to the county.
Four of the 20 new cases are in Paso Robles, two are in Atascadero and two are in Templeton.
Nipomo, Grover Beach, and San Luis Obispo each added three cases. And one new case was reported in Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and areas with less than five cases.
It has been more than three months since the first COVID-19 case in San Luis Obispo County was confirmed on March 14.
SLO County’s COVID-19 cases by the numbers
A majority of San Luis Obispo County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 — 300 — have completely recovered from the illness, with five new recoveries reported since Tuesday.
A total of 70 people are still recovering at home. Five patients are receiving hospital treatment, and two are in intensive care units.
One local resident has died from COVID-19.
The Paso Robles area continues to have the most COVID-19 cases in the county with 131.
Atascadero has 56 cases, Arroyo Grande has 33, Nipomo has 43, San Luis Obispo has 30 and the California Men’s Colony has 11.
Grover Beach and San Miguel have nine. Morro Bay and Pismo Beach both have 10, and Templeton has 12. Los Osos has 5. Other areas — defined as cities or communities with fewer than five cases — have 15 cases altogether.
Seven of the new cases are residents over the age of 50, eight are in the 18 to 49 age range and five new cases are under the age of 18.
In total, 92 cases involve people ages 50 to 64, and 62 cases involve people age 65 and older.
There are 181 residents aged 18 to 49 who’ve tested positive for COVID-19. The remaining 41 cases involve people age 17 and younger.
Six of the new cases were contracted from person-to-person contact, two were by community spread and 12 are still under investigation.
The county has determined 56 patients acquired the virus through travel, 177 acquired it through person-to-person contact and 125 contracted it through community spread.
The county has not determined the route of transmission for 18 cases.
Private and public health labs have performed a combined total of 15,380 tests. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, labs performed 690 tests for county residents.
The public health lab has conducted 4,081 tests, with 108 positive results. Private labs have conducted at least 11,299, with 268 positive results.
Private health labs began reporting the total number of negative test results April 13, but began testing before then.
When and where to get a COVID-19 test
As of June 8, free state testing is available in San Luis Obispo at 801 Grand Ave. on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Testing continues at the Grover Beach location at Ramona Garden Park Center at 993 Ramona Ave. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Additionally, testing will be available at the Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Hall, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18.
Register online for appointments at https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/should-i-be-tested.aspx; you can register by phone at 888-634-1123.
Testing is available through private healthcare providers, urgent care centers and the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Lab.
Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 1:52 PM.
