COVID cases continue to climb, slowly, in SLO County
COVID-19 continues to circulate in San Luis Obispo County, but local hospitalizations and deaths tied to the virus are staying low despite the slight uptick in reported cases.
San Luis Obispo County added 249 new coronavirus cases since Wednesday, 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:
In total, 53,958 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.
The number of COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks pushed up the 14-day average to 25 on Wednesday compared to 13 on April 27.
Despite the slow increase in case numbers, deaths and hospitalizations are staying low.
Four people were receiving treatment for coronavirus in area hospitals on Wednesday — none in the intensive care units, according to the Public Health Department.
Locally, 497 people have died due to the virus.
The number of active cases now stands at 297, compared to 251 on April 27. That’s a significant jump when compared to 197 active cases recorded on April 4.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect against COVID-19 hospitalization and death, according to health officials.
On May 4, the Public Health Department released data showing that unvaccinated people have accounted for about 64.4% of COVID-19 cases, 74% of hospitalizations and 69% of deaths since June 15.
Over the past seven days, these are the top coronavirus cases by city: 79 in San Luis Obispo, 33 in Paso Robles and 25 in Atascadero.
To see the full city-by-city breakdown, visit the Public Health dashboard at www.slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Data.aspx
The county does not include positive at-home tests in their weekly COVID report, meaning that reported case numbers are an undercount for the actual prevalence of the virus.
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., Suite A, in Grover Beach, and 800 Pine St. 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.
This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 2:39 PM.
CORRECTION: There were 249 new COVID cases recorded in San Luis Obispo County in the past seven days. The original article misstated the number of new COVID cases recorded.