Coronavirus updates: Free face masks for local farm workers, new COVID-19 cases
San Luis Obispo County had 266 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Wednesday, according to the county Public Health Department.
As business sectors continue to reopen, local businesses are reeling from the financial effects of coronavirus-related closures and more events are being canceled.
And in Santa Barbara County, a third Lompoc federal prison inmate has died.
Here are your coronavirus updates for Wednesday:
Free personal protective equipment available to farm workers
The San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture has received about 54,000 surgical masks for growers and farm workers, according to department commisioner Mart Settevendemie.
Settevendemie said the masks were acquired through a partnership with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Department of Food and Agriculture and the state Public Health Department.
The masks are free to farm workers and growers and will be distributed on an “as needed” basis, Settevendemie said at a county news briefing Wednesday.
To receive free personal protective equipment from the Department of Agriculture, call 805-781-5910.
SLO County adds 3 coronavirus cases
San Luis Obispo County added three coronavirus cases on Wednesday — and 266 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, according to ReadySLO.org.
The county has reported more than 10,000 residents tested between the county Public Health Department and private labs as of Wednesday.
Two of the three new cases are in Paso Robles, which continues to have the highest rate of cases; and one new case is in Nipomo.
Of the 266 local residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19, 237 have completely recovered from the illness, with three new recoveries since Tuesday.
Twenty-five people are still recovering at home, and three patients are receiving hospital treatment; two are in intensive care units.
One local resident has died from COVID-19.
California DMV office to reopen in SLO
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is reopening dozens of offices Thursday, including its San Luis Obispo location.
The San Luis Obispo field office was one of 170 sites that shut two months ago because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Now, California drivers will be able to schedule appointments at 71 of the previously shut offices. The offices allowed to reopen across the state were selected by location, size, service capacity and other factors.
The Paso Robles and Santa Maria field offices remain closed at this time.
Paso Robles has 42% of SLO County’s COVID-19 cases
About 64% of all residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 since March 14 in San Luis Obispo County have been located north of the Cuesta Grade, according to data from the county Public Health Department.
As of Tuesday, Paso Robles alone had 110 COVID-19 cases — about 42% of the 263 total cases in the county.
The Public Health Department said contact tracing has lead to more cases being identified in the region, and some have said the high case rate is because of family clusters. There may not be a definitive answer.
Local high school grad leads New York hospital during pandemic
Paso Robles High School grad Dr. Laureen Hill is now the senior vice president and chief operating officer of New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Manhattan — where the very first hospitalized coronavirus patient in New York City was treated.
Although no one could have predicted the effect that the new coronavirus would have on New York hospitals, Hill said, her years of experience helped her better prepare for the pandemic.
“I’m not where I am by accident, but I was never really gunning for this kind of a job when I started out,” Hill said. “I was just trying to be the best doctor I could be and was really very immersed in my clinical work and taking care of patients.”
A third Lompoc inmate has died from COVID-19
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons reported a third inmate death at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex Tuesday.
That is the 13th COVID-19 death in Santa Barbara County, although it was not reported in the county Public Health Department’s total as of Tuesday evening.
This is the first death reported at the Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security facility.
One death has been reported at the U.S. Penitentiary and another has been reported at the satellite camps at the prison complex, which are considered part of the penitentiary.
The BOP reported 1,069 total cases between the facilities.
California Mid-State Fair postpones competitions
The California Mid-State Fair has postponed all competitions due to coronavirus, according to a news release.
Although the Paso Robles fair still plans on celebrating its 75th year July 22 through August 2, state guidelines have changed the way the fair can operate.
The Central Coast Wine Competition, Central Coast Vinegar Competition, California Craft Spirits Competition and Home Wine making Competition have been postponed.
For more information or questions, please contact exhibits@midstatefair.com.
Third of Central Coast businesses lost over 75% revenue during shutdowns
A recent survey of more than 900 businesses conducted by a coalition of Central Coast Chamber of Commerce organizations showed that nearly 38% of businesses reported decreases in revenue of more than 75% since mid-March.
San Luis Obispo County’s shelter-at-home order went into effect March 18. About two months later, on May 20, San Luis Obispo County met the criteria needed to move forward through Stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan.
The survey of businesses, which took place May 11 through May 17, covered a wide range of topics, including general feelings about the economy, financial impacts and reopening businesses as restrictions lift during the coronavirus pandemic.
Grover Beach uses Diablo Canyon fund money to help businesses
The City of Grover Beach has dedicated $100,000 of its Diablo Canyon dollars to provide grants and microloans to local shops, restaurants and other businesses hurting from the COVID-19 lockdown.
As part of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant closure agreement, PG&E put $10 million in ratepayer money into an economic development fund, to be divvied up among San Luis Obispo and the seven cities.
The money was intended to soften the blow of losing jobs and revenue when Diablo Canyon is shuttered in 2024-25.
However, Grover Beach has decided to use the money to help local businesses that are on the brink due to the shelter-at-home order.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 11:37 AM.
