Coronavirus updates: SLO County adds 46 coronavirus cases, Paso Robles venue cancels 2020 concerts
San Luis Obispo County added 46 coronavirus cases Thursday, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Thursday, there were 425 active COVID-19 patients in San Luis Obispo County, a record high number of active local patients during the pandemic.
The county took a step backwards in its reopening plan after being on the state’s watch list for three consecutive days.
Here are your local updates for Thursday:
SLO County passes 400 active coronavirus cases, adds 46
San Luis Obispo County added 46 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who have locally tested positive for COVID-19 since March to 1,158, according to ReadySLO.org.
As of Thursday, the number of active cases broke 400, at 425 active COVID-19 patients in San Luis Obispo County, 39 more active cases than Wednesday.
San Luis Obispo County took a step backwards in the reopening process Thursday, closing gyms, hair salons, tattoo parlors and other recently reopened business sectors.
The closures were announced Wednesday, after the county was on the state’s COVID-19 watch list for three consecutive days because of a high case rate.
Atascadero added eight new coronavirus cases and Paso Robles added seven. San Luis Obispo, Oceano, Nipomo and Arroyo Grande each added three cases. Los Osos and Morro Bay each added two.
One new case was added in Grover Beach, San Miguel, Templeton, Cambria, Cayucos, and an area with less than five cases. Three of the most recent cases’ locations are unknown.
Of the most recent cases, seven are minors.
Vina Robles Amphitheatre reschedules 2020 concerts due to COVID-19
Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles postponed most of its upcoming music concerts and comedy shows until next year due to coronavirus, according to a news release.
The concert cancellations come more than a month after organizers canceled the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles due to COVID-19 concerns.
Purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled dates, concert promoter Nederlander Concerts said. “Refunds for canceled shows will be distributed directly to patrons via point of purchase,” the release said.
RISE fundraiser, fashion show moves online
The sixth annual Wine, Woment, and Shoes fundraiser for RISE will be held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release.
On Sept. 13, RISE will host a virtual broadcast filled with raffles, silent and live auctions and a fashion show. Beginning in August, guests can purchase watch parties that come with wine from local vineyards, swag bags from our sponsors, and optional food for two to 10 people, the release said.
“While COVID has thrown a wrench in our plans, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating our collective resilience with a little wine and fun,” Jane Pomeroy, executive director of RISE, said in the release. “With your support, RISE will continue to serve survivors, their families and loved ones in San Luis Obispo County for years to come.”
Tickets to the September event are free. To register visit winewomenandshoes.com/RISE.
SLO County hair salons, gyms and other businesses close
Several San Luis Obispo County business sectors will be forced to close again on Thursday to slow the spread of coronavirus as cases continue to rise locally.
Gyms and fitness centers, places of worship and personal care services such as hair salons, nail salons and tattoo parlors are among the local businesses and activities that must close or limit operations to outdoor services only, according to a county news release.
According to county data, San Luis Obispo County has exceeded the case rate criteria to remain open — an average of less than 100 positive cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days — for three days in a row. The county was placed on the watch list Monday.
SLO County’s largest school district to remain online
San Luis Obispo County’s largest K-12 school district, Lucia Mar Unified, will require distance learning for the start of the 2020-21 school year, the district announced Tuesday.
The school district will begin its online-only school year on Aug. 13.
Lucia Mar schools, which educate about 10,200 students, previously implemented fully online schooling during the first coronavirus-related closures in the spring.
SLO puts streets closure program on hold
The city of San Luis Obispo has paused its temporary street closure program to focus on parklets as part of a refinement to better accommodate business and public health needs.
The Open SLO program launched in mid-June with street closures in the downtown area, allowing community members to come together and enjoy the pedestrian-friendly district.
The city announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that it was indefinitely suspending weekend closures on Higuera Street and the upper block of Monterey Street, from Morro to Osos streets.
Rite Aid adds two local coronavirus testing sites
In partnership with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rite Aid is now testing at 258 locations across San Luis Obispo County, adding 161 this week, including two on the Central Coast.
Participating Rite Aid locations now include those at 7025 El Camino Real in Atascadero and 2405 South Broadway in Santa Maria.
The testing sites use self-swab coronavirus nasal tests for people with or without symptoms, according to the release.
To schedule a test appointment, visit www.riteaid.com. Sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 12:29 PM.
