6 more SLO County residents have died from COVID-19
Six more San Luis Obispo County residents have died from COVID-19, the Public Health Department reported on Tuesday.
That brings the county’s pandemic death toll to 349. Of the new deaths, one was in the 50-64 age range, three were age 65-84 and two were older than 85.
“All of us at Public Health are deeply saddened by these additional deaths, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health officer. “These deaths are a tragic and sobering reminder that COVID-19 is still negatively impacting us in San Luis Obispo County.”
The latest fatalities come as hospitalizations rise again after recent lows in mid-October.
Area hospitals are now treating 25 patients for coronavirus, including six in intensive care. That’s up substantially from less than two weeks ago, when only 10 people were hospitalized with two in the ICU.
Overall, new cases remain somewhat steady, with 117 reported over the last four days. The 14-day average number of new daily cases stands at 41, and active cases has dropped to 280, the first time that number has been under 300 since late July.
While daily cases have leveled off, they’re still at numbers well above what they were at this time last year, heading into the most dangerous time of the year for transmission.
“With the holiday season fast approaching and COVID-19 showing no signs of letting up, we strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated in order to protect our schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities,” Borenstein said. “If you are eligible for a booster or third dose of the vaccine, we encourage you to get the added protection that these safe and effective vaccines provide.”
In total, 29,478 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.
Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past four 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% 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
Atascadero: 6
Paso Robles: 17
San Miguel: 3
Santa Margarita: 1
Shandon: 2
South County
Arroyo Grande: 10
Avila Beach: 2
Grover Beach: 2
Nipomo: 10
Oceano: 1
Pismo Beach: 2
SLO and North Coast
Cal Poly (campus residents): 5
Cambria: 1
Los Osos: 6
Morro Bay: 3
San Luis Obispo: 3
The locations of 16 cases were listed as “other.” A total of 166 cases remained under investigation.
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, 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. To find shots at pharmacies near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
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 800 Vine St.
For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 3:27 PM.
