Coronavirus updates: SLO County exceeds 500 COVID-19 cases, faster tests
San Luis Obispo County has seen a significant increase in coronavirus cases this week, with 104 new cases since June 19.
As of Friday, a total of a total of 508 local patients had tested positive for COVID-19.
Friday marked the record-high number of hospitalized patients since mid-March with 12 patients.
Here are your local updates for Friday:
19 new COVID-19 cases added in SLO County
San Luis Obispo County reported 19 new cases on Friday, as the count exceeded 500 cases since the first local patient tested positive for COVID-19 in March.
Twelve coronavirus patients were being treated at local hospitals on Friday, the highest number of hospitalized patients in the county since mid-March.
According to state data, San Luis Obispo County’s positive test rate is around 2%, double what it was two weeks ago. That rate refers to the positive results of those tested.
Panther device helps public health agency test faster
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is now “producing faster COVID-19 test results for more people in high-risk situations” through a device called the Panther, which allows public health microbiologists at the laboratory to now test up to 300 samples per day, according to a news release.
“Increasing our testing capacity in SLO County helps all of us,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, the county’s health officer, said in the release. “One of the state’s metrics for staying open involves testing. At the same time, increased testing capacity also supports our contact tracing efforts, which we’ve recently expanded to meet our community’s growing needs.”
The lab prioritizes testing from time-sensitive and higher-risk situations, including health care workers and public health contact investigations.
Since June 12, when materials became available, the Panther has been used to test 786 samples. The tool is used to test coronavirus and other communicable diseases.
Help for local undocumented immigrant families
Local organizations, community leaders and concerned individuals have come together as a collaborative grassroots group called SLO County UndocuSupport to benefit immigrant community members who were left out of the national relief package for COVID-19.
The effort recognizes immigrants who do essential work in key industries such as agriculture, hospitality, domestic services and caregiving, as well as their families, as many have been impacted by coronavirus. Families will receive $300 to $500 in support.
Two agencies, CAPSLO and Center for Family Strengthening, are receiving applications from families in need and distributing funds, awarding $70,000 from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees.
SLO County public libraries to reopen
Seven public libraries in San Luis Obispo County will reopen their doors at limited capacity for public browsing starting July 7.
The libraries reopening are Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Cambria, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo.
Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a one-hour window for vulnerable populations from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. each open day of operation.
Santa Barbara County reports 28th coronavirus death
Santa Barbara County health officials reported 42 new cases of coronavirus Thursday, along with one new death, according to Noozhawk.
A 70-year-old Santa Barbara resident marked the 28th person in the county to die from the disease.
Of the new cases reported, 28 were from Santa Maria. Twenty-two patients are in intensive care units in Santa Barbara County.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 11:16 AM.
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