SLO County adds 23 COVID-19 cases — and a 23rd death
San Luis Obispo County added 23 coronavirus cases and another death due to COVID-19 on Thursday, according to ReadySLO.org.
The resident who died was in their 50s and had underlying health conditions, according to the county. They were the 23rd person to die in San Luis Obispo County with coronavirus listed as an underlying cause of death.
A total of 3,194 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in San Luis Obispo County since March, the county reported.
The total does not include 20 of the 290 total inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 at California Men’s Colony state prison in San Luis Obispo, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
New COVID-19 cases by city
The city of San Luis Obispo added nine coronavirus cases since Wednesday.
The California Men’s Colony added four COVID-19 cases, according to the county.
In the North County, Paso Robles added three COVID-19 cases. Atascadero and Templeton each added one new case.
In the South County, Nipomo added two new cases.
On the North Coast, Los Osos and Morro Bay each added one new case.
One additional case was under investigation.
For a detailed look at local coronavirus cases by age, ethnicity, occupation and more, visit ReadySLO.org.
SLO County coronavirus cases by the numbers
A majority of San Luis Obispo County residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 — 2,932 — have completely recovered from the illness.
A total of 226 people are recovering at home. Eight patients are receiving hospital treatment, with three patients in intensive care units.
In total, 174 patients have been admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19.
A total of 23 county residents have died due to coronavirus, including a person in their 50s with underlying health conditions.
According to the county Public Health Department, cases are categorized by zip code rather than city or town limits.
A total of 290 inmates and 47 employees at the California’s Men’s Colony have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-March, and one inmate has died due to the coronavirus, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Six CMC inmates were released while active and 209 inmates have recovered from coronavirus, the CDCR said. (The case numbers reported on the CDCR website vary from those reported on ReadySLO.org due to “delays in the state’s reporting system.”)
A total of 70 Cal Poly students and six faculty and staff members have tested positive for coronavirus since March, according to the San Luis Obispo university.
Three students who live on campus were in isolation as of Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19.
In addition, two Cal Poly students were in quarantine as of Wednesday.
San Luis Obispo County public and private health labs had conducted at least 55,708 tests locally as of Aug. 31, according to their website.
Where to get a COVID-19 test
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is urging anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, or those who have come into contact with someone with the virus, to get tested.
“If you think you have been exposed, stay home and make an appointment online to get tested at least five days after exposure,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in a news release. “Please also stay home until you receive your test results. We don’t want anyone unknowingly spreading COVID-19.”
Free COVID-19 testing is available at the South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch St. in Arroyo Grande, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday through Sept 18. Beginning Sept. 21, testing will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m,. Monday through Friday.
Testing is also available at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay, from 7 a.m. to 7.p.m., Tuesday through Friday, from Saturday to Sept. 18.
In San Luis Obispo, testing is available at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 801 Grand Ave., 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Testing will be available at that location Tuesday through Saturday.
In addition, COVID-19 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.
This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 1:22 PM.
