San Luis Obispo County gains 46 new COVID-19 cases

San Luis Obispo County added 46 new cases of coronavirus Friday, bringing the total number of people who have locally tested positive for COVID-19 since March to 2,093, according to ReadySLO.org.

On Thursday, the county reported 77 new coronavirus cases — the highest daily increase in local COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department issued a disclaimer Wednesday on its ReadySLO.org website regarding variations in COVID-19 case numbers.

“We have been alerted by the state that issues with the electronic system for lab records is causing a statewide delay in case reporting,” the county said.

New COVID-19 cases by city and age

In the North County, Paso Robles added 13 coronavirus cases. Atascadero, Templeton and Santa Margarita added one case each, and San Miguel added two cases of COVID-19.

In the South County, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and Oceano added one case each.

In the North Coast area, Cambria added one case of COVID-19. Los Osos decreased by two.

Of the most recent local cases, 12 involve people 50 and older, while 35 involve people under the age of 50.

SLO County coronavirus cases by the numbers

A majority of San Luis Obispo County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 — 1,716 — have completely recovered from the illness.

A total of 340 people are still recovering at home. Of the 20 patients receiving hospital treatment, seven patients remain in intensive care units.

There have been 15 local deaths related to coronavirus, with two deaths now listed as under investigation.

According to the county Public Health Department, cases are categorized by zip code rather than city or town limits.

The Paso Robles area continues to have the most COVID-19 cases in the county with 554, while Nipomo has 272 cases.

The city of San Luis Obispo dropped 41 cases for a new total of 261.

Atascadero has 238, and Arroyo Grande has 155 cases.

Grover Beach has 100 cases, Templeton has 83, and San Miguel has 71, Oceano has 61 cases of COVID-19.

Pismo Beach has 46, Los Osos has 41, Cambria has 28, and Morro Bay has 27 cases of COVID-19.

Santa Margarita has 22, Shandon has 13, Cayucos has 12, Avila Beach has seven, San Simeon has five COVID-19 cases.

A total of 12 employees and 99 inmates at the California Men’s Colony have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-March. That includes a coronavirus-positive inmate who was paroled on Aug. 2, according to Lt. John Hill, CMC public information officer.

One CMC inmate’s test results were listed as inconclusive, Hill said.

Other areas — defined as cities or communities with fewer than five cases — have two cases altogether. And 11 case is listed as under investigation.

In total, 388 cases involve people ages 50 to 64, while 193 cases involve people age 65 to 84, and 48 involve people over the age of 85 years old.

There are 682 residents aged 30 to 49 who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 573 residents aged 18 to 29 years old. The remaining 208 cases involve people age 17 and younger.

The age of one cases remains under investigation.

In total, 629 cases were acquired by person-to-person contact, meaning the patient came into contact with a confirmed coronavirus case. A total of 145 cases are travel-related, according to ReadySLO.org.

Another 497 cases were acquired by community spread, which means patients do not know if they came into direct contact with a confirmed case and they did not acquire COVID-19 by travel.

And 822 coronavirus cases are still under investigation by county contact tracers.

San Luis Obispo County public and private health labs have conducted at least 40,079 tests locally.

Where to get a COVID-19 test

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, San Luis Obispo County says it can no longer keep up with an increased demand in testing.

In July, county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein asked that only community members with COVID-19 symptoms and those who work in high-risk settings, such as essential workers and congregate living facility workers, get tested.

A pop-up testing location will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, through Thursday, Aug. 20, at Pavilion On the Lake, 9315 Pismo Ave. in Atascadero.

Free COVID-19 testing is available at ongoing sites in Grover Beach and San Luis Obispo.

▪ Grover Beach: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ramona Garden Park, 993 Ramona Ave.

▪ San Luis Obispo: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Veterans Memorial Hall, 801 Grand Ave.

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.

To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing; you can register by phone at 888-634-1123.

The county continues to ask that people limit large social gatherings and wear face coverings in public spaces when physical distancing can’t be maintained, in accordance with a state mandate issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom.