Public Health reduces COVID testing while keeping a wary eye on SLO County numbers
The coronavirus pandemic is entering a new phase in San Luis Obispo County. The mask mandate has been lifted and COVID hospitalizations are down locally, but Public Health experts say what’s coming next is unclear.
“It’s hard to know where things will go from here,” Public Health spokeswoman Michelle Shoresman said.
Although fewer people are hospitalized or in the intensive care units due to COVID-19, the incidence of the virus in the community is still elevated.
The true number of new COVID-19 cases here is difficult to track because positive at-home tests often go unreported, Shoresman said.
The lack of visibility into the results of at home-tests makes it harder for Public Health to measure the true scope of the coronavirus pandemic locally.
Positive at-home test results can be reported to the county at bit.ly/sloathometest.
The lower hospitalization rate coupled with decreased demand for testing and vaccine services is why the Public Health Department is making some adjustments to COVID-19 testing and vaccine services.
Coronavirus testing site in Morro Bay to close permanently
Based on guidance from the state, the county is beginning to scale back operations at local community testing sites.
The COVID-19 testing site in Morro Bay, which is run by the state, is closing on March 31.
It’s mostly due to lower use by community members.
“At all of our sites combined we’ve had between 13% and 20% utilization of appointments,” Shoresman said. “It’s not efficient anymore to have the Morro Bay site, but we anticipate keeping the three other testing sites for as long as we can.”
Hours also have been scaled back at the testing site in Grover Beach.
The Grover site is now open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed entirely on Friday, according to the Public Health website.
Vaccine services move to Public Health clinics
The county is also seeing less demand for COVID-19 vaccines.
Starting next week, Public Health will begin to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into regular clinic operations, Shoresman said.
“We can now handle the level of demand just within the current staffing that is there at the Public Health clinics,” she said.
When the pandemic was in full swing, there was a staffer available to give vaccine doses every 15 minutes at the Paso Robles vaccine clinic, so about four vaccines per hour, Shoresman said.
Now, that clinic is only vaccinating between nine and 15 people per day.
Patients there will soon visit the Public Health Clinic at 723 Walnut Ave. in Paso Robles instead of the old train station at 800 Pine St., where COVID tests are currently administered, Shoresman said.
“This is good for a number of reasons,” she said. “It is more efficient for our staff and for our agency, and it also allows people to go to the same place to get a COVID vaccine as the flu vaccine or family planning services.”
Just because demand for vaccines has declined doesn’t mean getting vaccinated is any less important for keeping the pandemic under control, Shoresman said.
“We do know it’s important to continue to be vigilant: Get tested if you are sick or have been exposed, stay home if you’re sick or test positive, wash your hands frequently and most important, get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already,” she said. “We want to avoid a new, more serious variant from evolving.”
COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be available at the Public Health clinics as well as in local pharmacies and other locations throughout the county.
Upcoming mobile COVID vaccine clinics
Meanwhile, Public Health is hosting four mobile vaccine clinics, where flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 5 years or older.
“We will continue to host mobile clinics in areas of high need where more people at higher risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19 live, or in areas where people have less access to healthcare, in general,” Shoresman said.
The clinics are located in various locations throughout the county through the end of March.
- Friday, March 18, 3:15 to 7 p.m. at Hawthorne Elementary Music Room at 2125 Story St. in San Luis Obispo
Monday, March 21, 4 to 7 p.m. at Del Mar Elementary Multipurpose Room at 501 Sequoia St. in Morro Bay
Tuesday, March 29, 4 to 6 p.m. at Los Osos Middle School Music Room, 1555 El Moro Ave. in Baywood-Los Osos
Wednesday, March 30, 3:15 to 7 p.m. at Pacheco Elementary Music Room, 261 Cuesta Drive in San Luis Obispo
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Currently, free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Paso Robles and Morro Bay. The Morro Bay testing site will close on March 31.
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
