Coronavirus updates: SLO County adds 101 cases, bars and indoor dining close again
San Luis Obispo County reported 101 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number of people who have locally tested positive for COVID-19 to 1,006, according to ReadySLO.org.
Here are your local updates for Monday:
SLO County passes 1,000-case mark
San Luis Obispo County added 101 new cases of coronavirus over the weekend and Monday, bringing the total number of people who have locally tested positive for COVID-19 since March to 1,006, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Monday, there were 313 active COVID-19 patients in San Luis Obispo County, the highest total of active local patients yet.
Of the newest cases, 69 involve people under the age of 50, and the other 32 cases involve patients over 50.
SLO County added to state watch list as indoor dining, bars close
San Luis Obispo County has been listed on the state’s watch list for rising coronavirus cases.
According to a tweet Monday from the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services, the county was added to the watch list, which means it is not meeting the state’s criteria for reopening.
On July 8, county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said that if the county is on the state’s watch list for three consecutive days, the state will close indoor operations of various business sectors.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is ordering indoor operations at a range of businesses to shut down immediately across the entire state, regardless of watch list status, including indoor restaurant dining, bars, wineries and tasting rooms.
How coronavirus will affect SLO County elections
San Luis Obispo County officials are reporting the November election will see almost 70% fewer in-person polling places and voters will be encouraged to cast their ballots by mail due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
County Clerk Recorder Tommy Gong recently laid out details of election developments to county supervisors in a draft plan presented to the county Board of Supervisors that includes reducing the number of in-person voting locations and increasing mail-in ballots.
Election officials typically send out 140,000 mail-in ballots, Gong said, but to reach all 175,000 registered voters in SLO County, staff members will need to send out an additional 35,000 ballots.
The in-person voting locations will be open during a four-day stretch, from Saturday, Oct. 31, through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Fifth SLO County resident dies from COVID-19
San Luis Obispo County has reported its fifth local death due to the coronavirus.
According to a news release Saturday, an individual in their 70s with underlying health conditions died due to COVID-19.
The person passed away at home and the cause of transmission was community spread, according to the release.
“As our community expects to be added to the state’s ‘watch list,’ it is important that our community continues to do our part to slow the spread,” county health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “This means staying at home, maintaining six feet of distance when leaving the house, and wearing a face covering in public if you can.”
Local businesses receive at least $217 million in federal loans
Construction companies, wineries, and law firms were among the local businesses that benefited the most from federal loans meant to offset the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on small businesses.
Data released by President Donald Trump’s administration shows that more than 700 businesses in San Luis Obispo County received at least $217 million through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations in the city of in San Luis Obispo received far more money than those in other communities, with 300 businesses collecting at least $103.25 million in financial assistance.
Paso Robles was No. 2 on the list, with 120 businesses there collecting at least $38.55 million.
Santa Barbara County adds 106 COVID-19 cases
Santa Barbara County added 106 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The new cases bring the county’s total to 4,283, the state reported on its COVID-19 website.
However, the numbers reported by the county late Sunday night were markedly different — 33 new cases for a total of 4,084. County officials have not thus far been able to explain the large disparity between what they are reporting vs. the state.
There were 76 coronavirus patients being treated in local hospitals, state health officials said, with 25 of those in intensive-care units.
In addition, there were five suspected COVID-19 patients hospitalized.
The county had the numbers at 72 in the hospital with 25 in ICU.
Pismo Beach bar closes after customers test positive for coronavirus
A bar in Pismo Beach has closed until further notice after some of its regular customers tested positive for coronavirus.
Boardroom Surf Pub announced via Facebook on Friday that it’s closing because some patrons who had been “in and out of our place all weekend” tested positive for COVID-19.
The bar, which is located on Hinds Avenue near the pier in Pismo Beach, said that the decision to shut its doors came after “much deliberation.”
“We feel at this time it’s in our and your best interest to close up for the weekend to err on the side of caution,” Boardroom Surf Pub said in its Facebook post. “We will keep everyone updated as much as we can. Thank you for all the support and love.”
SLO County Jail employee tests positive for COVID-19
A San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office employee who works in the San Luis Obispo County Jail has tested positive for COVID-19, the Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release Friday.
The employee returned to work July 6 after being on vacation, according to the release. They began developing symptoms while on shift and were immediately sent home.
Through contact tracing, it appears the employee contracted the virus from community spread and not from inside the jail, the Sheriff’s Office said.
While there have been 11 coronavirus cases among inmates at the California Men’s Colony, there have not been any COVID-19 cases reported at the San Luis Obispo County Jail to date.
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 11:09 AM.
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