SLO County COVID cases continues to level off with best month since July

San Luis Obispo County continues to experience a welcome leveling of COVID-19 cases, with no new deaths reported over the last week and only a handful of hospitalizations.

Only three people were receiving treatment in area hospitals as of Wednesday, according to the Public Health Department, including one patient in the intensive care unit.

Locally, 496 people have died from the virus.

Meanwhile, the county added 123 new COVID cases in the past week. A total of 949 cases were reported in March, the best month since 698 cases were reported last July.

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

The number of active cases increased slightly over last week, with 130 reported as of Wednesday compared to 126 on March 30, according to Public Health data.

While the number of active cases increased slightly, the two-week rolling average for COVID cases dipped to 26 on Wednesday, down from 34 last week.

Earlier this week, Public Health announced expanded COVID test-to-treat options at seven sites throughout the county.

Test-to-treat allows people with a positive COVID test to access medical consultations and prescription antiviral treatment all in one place, according to a Public Health news release.

While expanded treatment options are a good thing for people at risk for developing severe COVID, getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent coronavirus-related hospitalization and death, health officials said.

The agency on April 6 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 65% of COVID-19 cases, 75% of hospitalizations and 68% of deaths since June 15.

Over the past week, these are the top coronavirus cases by city: 41 in San Luis Obispo, 37 in Paso Robles and 27 in Atascadero.

To see the full city by city breakdown, visit the Public Health dashboard at www.slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Data.aspx

This week, Paso Robles surpassed more than 10,000 cases since the start of the pandemic, according to Public Health data.

In total, 53,476 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.

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 and Paso Robles.

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 Street in Paso Robles.

To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, call 805-781-5500 or the clinic site to schedule an appointment . The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters on a walk-in basis at public health 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 723 Walnut Drive.

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

Are you suffering from long COVID? The Tribune wants to speak with you

The prevalence of long COVID in San Luis Obispo County is currently unknown, but we want to learn how living with the lingering side effects of COVID-19 may have impacted the lives of impacted community members.

Fill out the form below to share your story and help us shape our COVID-19 coverage moving forward. You can also fill out the form at bit.ly/slolongcovid.