SLO County reports 4 new COVID deaths as hospitalizations rise
San Luis Obispo County on Friday reported four additional COVID-19 deaths as the number of people hospitalized for the virus continued to climb, according to the latest county Public Health Department data.
Since March 2020, a total of 343 county residents have died due to COVID-19. The four newly reported deaths involved two people 85 and older and two people ages 65 to 84.
This week, the county has seen a marked increase in the number of residents hospitalized for COVID-19.
The Public Health Department reported 21 people were receiving treatment in area hospitals on Friday. That’s an increase of four patients from Tuesday, when 17 people were hospitalized locally for COVID-19.
A week ago, on Oct. 22, just 11 COVID-19 patients were being treated at area hospitals — one of the lowest totals the county had seen in months.
As of Friday, there were four COVID-19 patients in local intensive care units. The county’s ICU bed capacity dipped to 39%, down from 47% on Tuesday.
SLO County sees lowest number of active COVID-19 cases in months
In spite of the increase in hospitalizations, San Luis Obispo County reported the fewest active COVID-19 cases in months.
On Friday, there were 346 active cases of coronavirus locally — the lowest number seen since July 28, when the county reported 317 active cases.
The county’s 14-day case average was 46 as of Friday, continuing the steady trend line that’s held in the 30s and 40s for the past two weeks.
In total, 29,361 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.
Public Health reported a total of 177 new infections during the past three days, ending Friday.
Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past three days break down day by day:
The county Public Health Department is not providing information about how many newly reported individual cases, hospitalizations and deaths involve vaccinated and unvaccinated people due to resource limitations and privacy concerns.
Instead, Public Health is releasing weekly data showing the percentages of unvaccinated people who’ve contracted COVID-19, received hospital treatment for the virus or died from it since June 15.
The agency on Oct. 29 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for 77.7% of COVID-19 cases, 82.7% of hospitalizations and 75.3% of deaths since June 15.
New COVID-19 cases by city
Here is where new COVID-19 cases were added in San Luis Obispo County, according to ReadySLO.org:
North County
Paso Robles: 37
Atascadero: 8
San Miguel: 6
Templeton: 4
Shandon: 3
Santa Margarita: 2
Creston: 1
South County
Arroyo Grande: 25
Nipomo: 22
Grover Beach: 9
Oceano: 4
Pismo Beach: 3
SLO and North Coast
San Luis Obispo: 30
Los Osos: 8
Morro Bay: 6
Cayucos: 4
The locations of 15 cases were listed as “other.” A total of 162 cases remained under investigation.
SLO County coronavirus cases by the numbers
Here are the total number of COVID-19 cases in communities throughout San Luis Obispo County.
- Paso Robles: 5,925
- San Luis Obispo: 5,334
Atascadero: 3,150
California Men’s Colony: 2,382
Arroyo Grande: 2,223
Nipomo: 2,201
Grover Beach: 1,262
Templeton: 1,054
Oceano: 915
Los Osos: 749
San Miguel: 712
Cal Poly (campus residents): 681
Morro Bay: 632
Pismo Beach: 523
Cambria: 278
Santa Margarita: 228
Shandon: 226
Atascadero State Hospital: 212
Creston: 118
Cayucos: 115
Avila Beach: 49
San Simeon: 38
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, Grover Beach, Paso Robles and Morro Bay. To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255.
The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters on a walk-in basis at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Grover Beach.
The clinics are open Monday and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch), and Saturdays for vaccines only from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The San Luis Obispo clinic is located at 2191 Johnson Ave., the Grover Beach clinic is located at 286 South 16th St. and the Paso Robles clinic is located at 723 Walnut Drive.
For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
To get vaccinated at a pharmacy near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
