Coronavirus updates: SLO County reports 6th COVID-19 death, 72 new cases
San Luis Obispo County reported 72 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Tuesday, there were 359 active COVID-19 patients in San Luis Obispo County, a record high number of active local patients during the pandemic.
The county also reported its sixth coronavirus-related death.
Here are your local updates for Tuesday:
Sixth local patient dies due to coronavirus
A sixth San Luis Obispo County resident has died due to COVID-19, the county Public Health Department reported late Tuesday.
The person was in their 90s, lived at a long-term care facility for the elderly, and was not hospitalized.
The source of transmission was determined to have been person-to-person spread at the care facility.
The first COVID-19 related death was reported on April 4 and a second on July 1. Three more deaths occurred in San Luis Obispo County last week, including one on Saturday.
SLO County adds 72 COVID-19 patients
San Luis Obispo County added 72 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people who have locally tested positive for COVID-19 since March to 1,078, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Tuesday, there were 359 active COVID-19 patients in San Luis Obispo County, a record high.
A majority of San Luis Obispo County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 — 699— have completely recovered from the illness.
A total of 359 people are still recovering at home. Of 14 patients receiving hospital treatment, six patients remain in intensive care units.
Of the newest cases, 49 involve people under the age of 50, and the other 23 cases involve patients 50 and over.
SLO County passes 1,000 coronavirus cases
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.
Local healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19
Dozens of San Luis Obispo County healthcare workers have tested positive for coronavirus since mid-March, according to the county Public Health Department.
A total of 71 local healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19, county public health spokeswoman Michelle Shoresman confirmed Monday.
The employees likely represent “all areas of the healthcare system,” from hospitals to health clinics and doctor’s offices, Shoresman said.
She added that the county Public Health Department prioritizes coronavirus testing for healthcare workers.
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.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
