Flu season has come to San Luis Obispo County. Here’s how to stay healthy
Laboratory tests confirm the flu has been circulating in San Luis Obispo County, according to the Public Health Department, which is urging residents to take care to prevent the spread.
“Flu season is here, and this is a good reminder to wash your hands regularly and get a flu shot if you haven’t already,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, county health officer, said in the release. “Our community is fully reopen and we are seeing more activity in terms of flu and other viruses than we saw last year, in addition to COVID-19. I encourage everyone in our community to protect yourself and your family from being sick over the holidays, and help prevent a surge in illness that could impact our hospitals.”
The flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory viruses, meaning they are both transmitted through close contact with someone who is infected and touching your face with unclean hands, according to the release.
The Public Health Department urged residents, including children, to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 to help keep hospital capacity low during the winter months and holiday season. Free COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available at Public Health clinics, doctor’s offices and pharmacies throughout the county.
The Health Department also recommends avoiding crowds, keeping gatherings brief and wearing a mask indoors. A well-fitting N95, KN95, KF94 or surgical masks are preferred to cloth masks because they are more protective, according to the release.
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
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.
The clinics are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. They’re also open Saturdays for vaccines only from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 8:00 AM.
