SLO County releases ethnic and occupation breakdown of COVID cases for the first time
Hispanic or Latino people make up nearly half of all the coronavirus cases in San Luis Obispo County, even though they comprise only about 23% of the population, newly released data show.
The numbers reflect the trend seen across California, where Latino and Hispanic people make up nearly 60 percent of positive cases.
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department published the ethnic and occupational breakdowns of local coronavirus cases at ReadySLO.org for the first time on Tuesday. The county’s data does not provide a racial breakdown.
As of Tuesday, 2,571 people in San Luis Obispo County have tested positive for COVID-19.
About 1,182, or 46%, of the confirmed cases are Hispanic or Latino, while or 919, or 36%, are classified as not Hispanic.
According to census data, about 22.9% of San Luis Obispo County is Hispanic or Latino and about 68.5% is white.
The ethnicity of 459 cases is unknown, and 11 cases are under investigation, according to the county.
Ethnic data is collected by contact tracers, but it is not mandatory for people to disclose that information, contact tracer and public health nurse Kristin Edler told The Tribune in early August.
San Miguel, Paso Robles, Nipomo, Shandon and Oceano — where the Hispanic or Latino population makes up at least 30% — have had some of the most coronavirus cases per capita in the county.
Edler had told The Tribune that in areas like Paso Robles and Nipomo, multi-generational housing is more common.
Public Health Department spokesperson Michelle Shoresman said via email that in areas with higher per capita rates, the county has seen more dense living situations and more people in agriculture and construction jobs. The county also noted that in those areas there has been less compliance with mask wearing and people have not been avoiding gatherings as much.
Health experts and advocates have attributed higher case counts among Hispanics and Latnios to “barriers that prevent some from accessing healthcare, a higher likelihood of living in multi-generational households and working in professions considered essential that cannot be accomplished at home,” according to the Sacramento Bee.
COVID-19 cases by occupation
The county also released numbers on the occupational breakdown of local cases.
Retirees or those who are unemployed made up the largest category of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, with 531 cases.
The second-highest group was made up of craftsmen, construction workers and other skilled laborers, accounting for 386 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday.
Educational and childcare workers made up 296 coronavirus cases, while office, management, sales or retail workers totaled 258.
Food service workers made up 184 coronavirus cases, and 115 people who work in agriculture have tested positive, as well.
As for healthcare and dental workers, 167 people have tested positive. And 79 first responders have had COVID-19, with an additional six police officers testing positive as well.
Two veterinarians and animal healthcare workers have also had coronavirus.
The county lists 100 cases as professional, technical and related professional employees. The occupations of 50 cases remains unknown, and 248 people did not specify their occupation, according to ReadySLO.org.
The county lists 148 cases as incarcerated.
This story has been updated to reflect the most current ethnic and occupation data that was released Tuesday after initial publication.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
