10 more COVID deaths reported in SLO County — across a wide range of ages

Ten more people died from COVID-19 as the sustained impacts of the winter omicron surge continue to resonate throughout San Luis Obispo County.

The deaths come despite a steady decline in new cases and hospitalizations from severe COVID.

Nine people were receiving treatment at local hospitals on Wednesday, with two patients in intensive care units, according to the Public Health Department.

“I am grateful to see cases declining and fewer people suffering from severe COVID-19 that requires hospitalization, and I also want to extend my sympathy to those who are personally feeling the continued pain of this surge in the loss of a loved one,” County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein, said in a news release.

The deaths involved people in their 40s to 90s, according to Public Health.

Locally, 480 people have died from COVID over the course of the pandemic.

San Luis Obispo County added 147 new coronavirus cases in the last week, according to data from the county Public Health Department.

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

The decline in new COVID cases dropped the rolling two-week average to 27 on Wednesday, according to Public Health data.

Although the drop in new cases is good news, the numbers aren’t as low as Public Health would like and don’t tell the whole story of the state of the pandemic locally.

“While we believe the decline in reported cases represents a true downward trend, these numbers do not represent all cases as at-home testing has become more available,” Borenstein said. “The virus is unfortunately still spreading at a higher level than any of us would like to see.”

People with positive antigen test results taken at home can report them to Public Health at bit.ly/sloathometest.

There are 194 active COVID-19 cases in the county as of Wednesday, according to Public Health.

The last time the county had a comparable number of COVID cases was on Nov. 29, 2021, before the omicron surge.

In total, 52,875 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.

The agency on March 16 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 65% of COVID-19 cases, 76% of hospitalizations and about 68% of deaths since June 15.

Over the past week, these are the top coronavirus cases by location: 47 in Paso Robles, 41 in Atascadero and 28 in Arroyo Grande.

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. The Morro Bay testing site will close permanently 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

This story was originally published March 16, 2022 at 4:16 PM.