Will SLO County require masks indoors again amid COVID case increase? Here’s what we know
A highly contagious coronavirus variant is spreading throughout San Luis Obispo County.
What does that mean for indoor face mask recommendations?
County public health officials on Tuesday announced that local cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant tripled this week. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider the Delta variant a “variant of concern” because there’s evidence that suggests it’s more contagious and causes more severe disease.
Even so, the county Public Health Department has not yet issued any new recommendations for residents regarding wearing face coverings indoors. Officials are still adhering to CDC and California Department of Public Health guidance, said Michelle Shoresman, a Public Health spokeswoman.
State and CDC guidance currently say people who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus no longer need to wear masks, except in specific settings, including public transit, schools, correctional facilities, medical offices and shelters. Unvaccinated people must continue to wear masks in all indoor public settings, the agencies say.
“As we have since the beginning of this pandemic, we continue to monitor case and hospitalization data in our county and are making decisions based on that data,” Shoresman wrote in an email.
According to Shoresman, a recent increase in local coronavirus cases since the state ended coronavirus restrictions on June 15 “was expected.”
Hospitalization rates have gone up “on occasion,” but the county is now seeing two to seven COVID-19 patients requiring that level of care most days, Shoresman wrote.
“Therefore, (Public Health Officer) Dr. (Penny) Borenstein is not making additional formal recommendations at this moment,” Shoresman wrote. “Of course, we welcome anyone to make the decision for themselves to put a mask on when indoors in shared public spaces, and especially if they are in a more vulnerable risk category.”
Coronavirus cases on the rise in SLO County
Coronavirus cases in San Luis Obispo County have been increasing during the past three weeks. The county reported 36 cases on July 6, 70 cases on July 13 and 129 cases on Tuesday.
The county’s seven-day coronavirus test positivity rate was 2.9% as of Monday, and it’s been climbing steadily since late June, according to California Department of Public Health data. The state’s test positivity rate was 4.5%, and it’s also been increasing consistently throughout July.
Although the county has yet to issue further indoor mask recommendations, school officials contemplating face covering policies for students and employees anticipate that will change relatively soon.
“What we’re seeing, it’s not in our county right now, but it’s moving in various counties across the state, where counties are beginning to reinstate the mask mandate,” said Eric Prater, superintendent of San Luis Coastal Unified School District. “So we expect something like that will occur here.”
Central Coast counties recommend indoor mask use
A recent increase in COVID-19 cases has prompted public health authorities in Los Angeles County to again require wearing masks indoors for all residents, regardless of vaccine status.
Public health officials in Monterey, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have recommended that residents wear masks indoors, but they’ve not yet mandated face coverings.
As of Tuesday, 17 of California’s 58 counties have issued similar recommendations, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A letter from Monterey, Napa, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties issued on Monday cites increasing numbers of coronavirus cases and the rise of the Delta variant as the reason behind the mask guidance.
“Out of an abundance of caution, people are recommended to wear masks indoors in places like grocery or retail stores, theaters, and family entertainment centers, even if they are fully vaccinated,” the letter said.
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing. You can also register by phone at 888-634-1123.
The county Public Health Department is currently administering coronavirus vaccines to everyone age 12 and up.
Those eligible to receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine can register online or by phone for California’s My Turn appointment system. You can also walk in to any of the county’s clinics without an appointment to receive a vaccine.
To find appointments, visit MyTurn.ca.gov and complete the registration process. Those who need assistance registering for a vaccine can call 833-422-4255 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.
To sign up for email alerts, visit EmergencySLO.org/en/newsletter.aspx.
In addition to the state’s My Turn system, residents can find appointments for coronavirus vaccines through private health partners and some chain pharmacies, including CVS and Vons.
This story was originally published July 21, 2021 at 11:45 AM.
