Jump in SLO County COVID-19 cases includes people who went to bars, health official says
San Luis Obispo County reported 59 new coronavirus cases over the weekend and into Monday — including those involving people who went to local bars recently.
According to a news release Monday afternoon, San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health investigators found the largest increase in cases over the weekend was due to community spread, including cases among people who reported going to bars.
“Please continue to do your part to limit the spread of COVID-19 in SLO County,” county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “Let’s work together to protect our economy and our community. Neighboring counties have had to recently close bars and other sectors because their cases are increasing so rapidly. We do not want to have to do that here and we need your help.”
Only three weeks after they reopened, the state of California ordered bars in seven counties to shutter once again after those areas saw a dramatic climb in coronavirus numbers.
In Monday’s news release, San Luis Obispo County officials noted that new local cases include many younger people. Of the 59 new cases, 37 involve people ages 18 to 49.
“We’ve heard a misconception that this disease doesn’t affect young people and that is simply not true,” Borenstein said in the news release. “While the risk increases with age, younger adults in our community are still at risk. Stay home if you’re sick, avoid large gatherings, stay six feet away from others in public and wear a face covering in public if you can.”
As of Monday afternoon, San Luis Obispo County had 567 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 3:26 PM.
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