SLO County COVID numbers fall, mirroring statewide trends

After weeks of increases, the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded by the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is starting to fall.

Other statistics are looking more promising as well, with no new deaths or patients in intensive care reported on Wednesday. A total of 12 county residents were receiving treatment in local hospitals, however, according to Public Health.

Overall, the county added 580 new COVID cases in the last week. That brings the total number of San Luis Obispo County residents who have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020 to 58,064.

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

These numbers only include positive tests recorded at SLO County public health clinics. That means the 580 case total is likely an undercount of the true county COVID case load because it does not include positive antigen at-home test results in the totals, Public Health said.

The decline in new COVID case numbers caused the two-week COVID case average to drop slightly as well — from 115 on June 15 to 109 on Wednesday.

The number of active cases now stands at 599 — a drop from the 737 active cases recorded on June 15.

Over the past week these are the top coronavirus cases by city: 108 in San Luis Obispo, 87 in Paso Robles and 72 in Atascadero.

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

COVID cases drop in SLO County, statewide, as community spread grows

The rate of new coronavirus cases throughout California is 35.8 per 100,000 residents, a drop of 13% from the previous week, based on reporting from the Sacramento Bee.

While the statewide case rate is dropping, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID data point to higher levels of community spread throughout California.

The data shows roughly 11.4% of COVID tests throughout the state are coming back positive, an increase from last week’s case positivity rate of 9.1%, according to CDPH data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID community level, which considers hospital beds in use, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases, ranks San Luis Obispo County at the “medium” threshold, according to CDC data.

People living in counties at the “medium” or yellow community level are advised to test when experiencing COVID symptoms, wear a mask and stay up-to-date on vaccines, according to the CDC.

COVID vaccines now available to children ages 6 months to 5 years

Meanwhile, the last and youngest age group waiting for a COVID vaccine is now eligible.

Beginning Tuesday, families can schedule a COVID vaccine appointment for children ages 6 months to 5 years at public health clinics, their pediatrician’s office or at select local pharmacies.

Children can get the three-dose Pfzier-BioNTech vaccine or two-dose Moderna vaccine series.

County health data shows staying up-to-date on COVID vaccines is still the best way to protect against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.

Public Health on June 22 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 63% of COVID-19 cases, 73% of hospitalizations and 67% of deaths since June 15.

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 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.

This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 4:04 PM.