SLO County adds 4 new COVID deaths as new cases ease

The number of hospitalizations and active COVID-19 cases has started to decline in San Luis Obispo County even as deaths locally passed a distressing new milestone.

On Tuesday, Public Health reported four additional fatalities as a result of the virus, bringing the pandemic total to 402 since March 2020.

The deaths were in the 65-84 and 85-and-older age ranges.

“This is a sad day for San Luis Obispo County, especially for the families, friends and loved ones of the more than 400 community members who have succumbed to this disease,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, county health officer. “We can honor these lives by doing what works to protect others and help end the surge: stay home when sick, get tested, mask up, and take the time to get fully vaccinated and boosted. These measures are proven to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

However, after a week in which case counts set new all-time highs on a near daily basis, numbers are showing signs of easing.

The number of active cases has dropped by nearly 1,600 in five days, from 4,239 to 2,641.

The number of people hospitalized has fallen to 44, after matching a pandemic high of 67 on Friday. The number in the intensive care unit has retreated from 11 on Jan. 24 to six on Tuesday.

A total of 1,172 new daily cases were reported over the four days ending Tuesday, a marked improvement. To put that in perspective, 1,169 cases were reported last Wednesday alone.

The Public Health department warns that new and active cases are likely a considerable undercount because at-home positive tests are not included in these numbers.

The 14-day average of new daily cases retreated a bit to 621 off its all-time high of 649 on Friday, and that number should fall further as the mid-January spike works its way through.

SLO County ended January with a total of 14,659 new coronavirus cases, nearly double January 2020, the next highest total of the pandemic.

Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past four days break down day by day:

The agency on Jan. 18 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 65% of COVID-19 cases, 78.5% of hospitalizations and 75% 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 the county Public Health Department:

North County

• Paso Robles: 239

• Atascadero: 105

• Templeton: 39

• San Miguel: 22

• Santa Margarita: 14

• Creston: 5

• Shandon: 2

South County

• Arroyo Grande: 135

• Nipomo: 133

• Grover Beach: 61

• Oceano: 56

• Pismo Beach: 34

• Avila Beach: 3

SLO and North Coast

• San Luis Obispo: 171

• Los Osos: 45

• Morro Bay: 44

• California Men’s Colony: 35

• Cambria: 14

• Cayucos: 4

• Cal Poly (campus residents): 1

The locations of 45 cases were listed as “other.” A total of 405 cases remained under investigation.

Outbreaks at the California Men’s Colony state prison, Cal Poly and Atascadero State Hospital have been greater than indicated by county data, according to data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Cal Poly and the Department of State Hospitals.

CDCR had recorded 2,859 total coronavirus cases among CMC inmates as of Feb. 1, with 187 active cases in custody and 272 new cases in the past 14 days. A total of 13 inmates have died due to COVID-19.

DSH reported on Jan. 31 that 305 patients have tested positive at Atascadero State Hospital since May 2020. The agency reports 18 of those patients have tested positive within the past 14 days.

ASH has reported at least one but fewer than 11 deaths among patients who tested positive for COVID-19. The facility had no hospitalized coronavirus patients as of Jan. 31 and has not said how many were hospitalized in the past.

Cal Poly’s documented total of coronavirus cases in the past seven days involving both on-campus and off-campus students was 66 as of Feb. 1.

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 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, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay and 800 Pine St. in Paso Robles.

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.

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 800 Pine St.

For more information on clinic hours, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Vaccines

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 1:55 PM.