One COVID measure is up tenfold in 5 weeks as SLO County reports more deaths

San Luis Obispo County is climbing the front side of another COVID-19 surge with a continuing rise in new cases and hospitalizations, along with two additional deaths reported in the past week.

Nearly 700 people have contracted COVID in the past seven days, according to county Public Health data.

Although sizable, this is a certain undercount of the actual scope of the virus in SLO County, since county data only includes positive tests recorded at public health clinics and does not include positive at-home or antigen test results.

Public Health reported 14 people were receiving treatment for severe COVID-19 in local hospitals on Wednesday. It’s the most COVID hospitalizations since March 2. However, in a sign that the current variant is less severe that past versions, no patients are in local intensive care units.

Since the pandemic started, 1,600 have been hospitalized locally due to the coronavirus.

The two new deaths due to the coronavirus, involving people 65 to 84 and 85 and older, mean that 503 people have died from the virus locally, according to Public Health data.

SLO County added 695 new recorded coronavirus cases since last Wednesday.

Here’s how local COVID case numbers from the past seven days break down, day by day:

• Thursday: 170
• Friday: 135
• Saturday: 47
• Sunday: 54
• Monday: 31
• Tuesday: 48
• Wednesday: 210

The increase in new COVID cases this week pushed the 14-day new case average up from 67 on May 25 to 92 on June 1. When compared to five weeks ago, the increase is even more stark. The 14-day average increased tenfold over that time period, from a recent low of 8 on April 23.

The data shows the number of active cases has climbed also. There were 778 active cases in SLO County as of Wednesday, compared to 661 on on May 25. A month ago on May 1, there were 311.

Although the increase in COVID cases is cause for caution, San Luis Obispo County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in a May 25 news release that she is not panicking.

Health officials continue to emphasize steps community members can take to protect themselves from contracting and spreading COVID-19: Wear a mask in crowded and indoor spaces, test before and after traveling or gathering, socialize outdoors, stay home when sick and get vaccinated or boosted, the release said.

The agency on June 1 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 63% of COVID-19 cases, 73% of hospitalizations and 67% of deaths since June 15, 2021.

Over the past seven days these are the top coronavirus cases by city: 156 in San Luis Obispo, 109 in Paso Robles and 60 in Arroyo Grande.

Despite the increase in cases locally, the county chose not to reinstate the local mask mandate, unlike Cal Poly, which now requires indoor masking from now through the end of spring quarter on June 12.

To see the full city-by-city breakdown, visit the Public Health dashboard at www.slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Data.aspx

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 and Paso Robles.

To make an appointment, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.

Testing is administered at 801 Grand Ave in San Luis Obispo, 1336 Ramona Ave #A in Grover Beach and 800 Pine Street in Paso Robles.

To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, call 805-781-5500 or the clinic site to schedule an appointment . The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters on a walk-in basis at public health clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Grover Beach. To find shots at pharmacies near you, visit Vaccines.gov.

Vaccines are administered at 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 on clinic hours, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Vaccines

Are you suffering from long COVID? The Tribune wants to speak with you

The prevalence of long COVID in San Luis Obispo County is currently unknown, but we want to learn how living with the lingering side effects of COVID-19 may have impacted the lives of impacted community members.

Fill out the form below to share your story and help us shape our COVID-19 coverage moving forward. You can also fill out the form at bit.ly/slolongcovid.

This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 3:29 PM.