3 more COVID deaths reported in SLO County as pandemic total passes 350
San Luis Obispo County reported three new deaths due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, and more than 350 people locally have now lost their lives due to the pandemic.
The new deaths bring the county’s total to 352 since COVID-19 first reached the area in March 2020, the latest county Public Health Department data showed.
The deaths involved two people age 85 and older and one person age 65 to 84, Public Health reported.
“I send my deepest sympathy to the families who are grieving these losses and looking ahead to a holiday season without their loved ones,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Public Health officer. “Please, do your part to slow the spread of this painful disease in SLO County: Get vaccinated, wear a mask in indoor public places, avoid large gatherings, and stay home if you are sick.”
The latest deaths came even as the county’s number of daily new cases has leveled off.
On Tuesday, Public Health reported 274 active cases, and the total has been below 300 during the last four days. The county’s 14-day average number of new cases stood at 41. The average has continued to remain in the 30- to 40-case range since around mid-October.
On the hospitalization front, 22 county residents are now receiving inpatient treatment for the virus, and six COVID-19 patients are in local intensive care units. Local ICUs currently have 55% of their total beds available.
In total, 29,759 county residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.
New COVID-19 cases daily breakdown
The county added 127 new cases from Friday to Tuesday. 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 Nov. 5 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for 78% of COVID-19 cases, 82% of hospitalizations and 73% of deaths since June 15.
“There is a bright spot on the horizon for our community now that children in the 5-11 age group are eligible to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19,” Borenstein said. “We strongly urge our community members continue to mask up in indoor public spaces and get vaccinated to prevent the continued spread of a virus that results in serious illness and death.”
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: 19
Atascadero: 16
San Miguel: 9
Santa Margarita: 1
Templeton: 1
South County
Arroyo Grande: 16
Nipomo: 13
Grover Beach: 9
Oceano: 3
Pismo Beach: 3
Avila Beach: 1
SLO and North Coast
San Luis Obispo: 20
Los Osos: 7
Cal Poly (campus residents): 3
Cayucos: 3
Morro Bay: 2
Cambria: 1
The locations of 17 cases were listed as “other.” A total of 166 cases remained under investigation. 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, 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 Pine St.
For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 2:13 PM.