New weekly COVID cases nearly double again in SLO County — most active cases since March
San Luis Obispo County added 253 new coronavirus cases over this past week, the Public Health Department reported Tuesday, continuing a troubling trend in which new weekly cases have nearly doubled from one week to the next for the past three weeks.
Over the past month, new weekly COVID-19 cases have risen from 36 in the first week of July to 70 to 129 to 253 in the week ending Tuesday.
One additional death — an individual in their 70s — also was reported, bringing the county’s total to 265.
“It is heartbreaking to report that this pandemic has taken yet another life in our community and I extend my sincere condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, Public Health officer. “I am concerned about the significant increase in cases we are seeing locally and ask everyone in our community to please do your part to stop this surge.”
There are now 285 active cases in the county as of Tuesday, the most since 288 on March 16. The number of active cases is nearly 10 time higher than what it was just one month ago, when it hit a low of 31 on June 25.
Meanwhile, the 14-day average number of new cases reported is similarly rising, to 27 from 14 on July 20, the Public Health Department reported.
That’s the highest 14-day average reported since April but still nowhere near the number seen in the winter, when that number maxxed out at 331 on Jan. 12, the data show.
And on Monday, 53 people reportedly tested positive for the virus, the highest single-day tally since 73 tested positive on April 13.
The county noted that it was tracking eight COVID-19 outbreaks in SLO County, some of which involve long-term care facilities and sports teams.
The rise in COVID-19 case numbers in the county comes shortly after county Public Health officials warned residents of a spike in the number of Delta variant cases — a much more contagious strain of the virus. As of Tuesday, 19 COVID-19 Delta variant cases have been recorded in San Luis Obispo County, that’s up from 14 the week before, according to the county Public Health Department.
However, the number of Delta variant cases could be “considerably higher,” officials said, because the state only sequences some COVID-19 cases for the variant.
“This surge in cases shows just how transmissible and dangerous this new strain of virus is,” Borenstein said. “If we don’t work together to turn this around, we risk losing more of our loved ones here in SLO County. Please: protect yourself and your family with the vaccine.”
The county had a seven-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 4.1% as of Tuesday, up 0.9 percentage points from the previous week, according to California Department of Public Health data.
Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past week break down day by day:
In total, 21,970 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.
New COVID-19 cases by city
Here is where new COVID-19 cases were added this week in San Luis Obispo County, according to ReadySLO.org:
Paso Robles: 49
Atascadero: 28
Santa Margarita: 7
San Miguel: 5
Templeton: 4
South County
- Arroyo Grande: 23
- Grover Beach: 18
Nipomo: 14
Oceano: 13
Pismo Beach: 9
SLO and North Coast
San Luis Obispo: 44
Los Osos: 15
Morro Bay: 8
Cambria: 2
Cayucos: 2
The locations of seven cases were listed as “other.” A total of 32 cases remained under investigation.
Cal Poly’s documented total of coronavirus cases involving both on-campus and off-campus students was 2,024 as of Tuesday.
SLO County coronavirus cases by the numbers
Here’s a look at San Luis Obispo County’s cases on Friday, according to the county Public Health Department.
- Active cases: 285
- Recovered cases: 21,420
- People recovering at home: 280
- People receiving hospital care: 5
- Total people in intensive care units: 1
People in intensive care units out of the county: 0
- Deaths due to COVID-19: 265
Here are the total number of COVID-19 cases in communities throughout San Luis Obispo County.
- Paso Robles: 4,303
- San Luis Obispo: 4,128
California Men’s Colony: 2,383
- Atascadero: 2,154
Nipomo: 1,623
Arroyo Grande: 1,566
Grover Beach: 914
Oceano: 708
Templeton: 693
Cal Poly (campus residents): 658
San Miguel: 552
Los Osos: 536
Morro Bay: 459
Pismo Beach: 360
Atascadero State Hospital: 188
Cambria: 189
Shandon: 140
Santa Margarita: 162
Creston: 90
Cayucos: 73
Avila Beach: 31
San Simeon: 21
The county also breaks down local coronavirus cases by race and ethnicity.
- White: 8,723
- Hispanic and Latino: 7,078
- Other and under investigation: 5,108
- Asian and Pacific Islander: 483
- Black or African American: 285
- Multiracial: 246
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 47
For a detailed look at local coronavirus cases by age, occupation and more, visit ReadySLO.org.
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 or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
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. The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines on a walk-in basis at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Grover Beach.
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.
Residents can also find appointments for coronavirus vaccines through private health partners and some chain pharmacies, including CVS and Vons.
This story was originally published July 27, 2021 at 2:21 PM.
