New and active COVID cases fall in SLO County; 5 new deaths reported

The number of new and active coronavirus cases in San Luis Obispo County continues to decline as the state and county lift more COVID-19 mandates.

Beginning March 12, masks will go from being required to strongly recommended in schools and child care settings, according to the Public Health Department.

Despite this shift in local face covering policy, the coronavirus is still spreading throughout the county.

There were more than 170 new COVID-19 cases recorded by the county in the last four days, according to county data.

On Tuesday, the county reported five new deaths from COVID-19. The people who died were in the 30-49, 50-64 and 65-84 age ranges, according to the Public Health Department.

A total of 14 people were receiving treatment in local hospitals on Tuesday, and two patients were in the intensive care unit, according to Public Health. Hospitalizations are at the lowest level since before Christmas.

Overall, 174 new COVID cases were reported in the last four days, ending Tuesday, according to data from the county Public Health Department.

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

The number of active COVID cases continues to fall. The county counted 474 active COVID cases as of Tuesday. This is the first day since December that the number of active cases fell below 500, according to Public Health.

The past two years have taken their toll on communities in the county.

As of Monday, the city of San Luis Obispo has recorded more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases since March 2020 — the most of any location in the county.

However, Paso Robles isn’t far behind with at least 9,822 COVID-19 cases recorded by the Public Health Department since the start of the pandemic.

In total, 52,426 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.

The agency on Feb. 18 date 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.

Over the past four days these are the top coronavirus cases by location: 34 at California Men’s Colony (CMC), 28 in San Luis Obispo and 22 in Paso Robles.

Sometimes there is a discrepancy between the numbers reported by Public Health and the numbers reported at institutions within the county.

Some 85 inmates in custody at California Men’s Colony have the coronavirus as of March 1, according to data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

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, 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