10 more COVID deaths reported in SLO County as active cases plunge
The number of active COVID-19 cases in San Luis Obispo County has fallen below 1,000 for this first time since the rise of the omicron variant, even as 10 additional deaths were reported on Tuesday.
The new deaths bring the pandemic total to 442. The deaths occurred in the 50-64, 65-84, 85+ age ranges, according to the Public Health Department.
The plunging number of active cases, which has dropped to 738, illustrates how quickly the omicron surge is fading locally.
Declining numbers of new cases also mirror that trend, with only 315 reported in the last four days. That has pushed the rolling 14-day average down to 163, well off the high of 649 on Jan. 28.
Public Health tweeted Tuesday that case numbers are typically low after holiday weekends and may go up in the next report.
Conditions at SLO County hospitals have also vastly improved in recent days.
A total of 20 people are now receiving treatment for COVID, with only two in the intensive care unit, the lowest number there since before Thanksgiving.
The falling COVID cases come as the county lifted its indoor mask mandated for vaccinated people, which had been in place since September.
In total, 51,995 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in San Luis Obispo County.
Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past four days break down day by day:
The agency on Feb. 18 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 65% of COVID-19 cases, 76.5% of hospitalizations and about 70% 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
Atascadero: 37
Paso Robles: 37
Atascadero State Hospital: 14
Templeton: 6
San Miguel: 5
Santa Margarita: 2
Shandon: 2
South County
Arroyo Grande: 33
Nipomo: 29
Grover Beach: 13
Oceano: 5
Pismo Beach: 3
SLO and North Coast
California Men’s Colony: 53
San Luis Obispo: 52
Los Osos: 7
Morro Bay: 5
Cambria: 2
Cayucos: 1
The locations of 46 cases were listed as “other.” A total of 466 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 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 22, 2022 at 1:56 PM.