SLO County passes 500 COVID deaths, as new cases continue to rise

Tribune - 5/18/2022

May 18—San Luis Obispo County passed a grim milestone Wednesday after four new COVID-19 deaths were reported, bringing the pandemic death toll to 501 a little more than two years into the pandemic.

The deaths come as new coronavirus cases continue to march upward again. The county added more than 350 new cases since last Wednesday, according to data from the Public Health Department.

Hospitalizations are also increasing, with seven people receiving treatment for severe COVID in local hospitals on Wednesday, according to Public Health. Two patients are currently receiving treatment in local intensive care units.

The four additional deaths reported Wednesday involved people aged 65-84 and 85 or older.

"I urge all of us in SLO County to honor these lives by protecting yourself, your family and our community from more pain caused by this disease," said county Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein.

The increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations come as the BA.2.12.1 variant spreads throughout the county. Roughly 45% of sequenced COVID cases can be attributed to the new variant, Public Health said.

Public Health is monitoring the hike in COVID cases as well as 17 outbreaks in congregate care settings, the release said.

Public Health reported 353 new infections in the past seven days ending Wednesday. The number of active cases on Wednesday landed at 398, more than double the total number of active cases reported on April 18, which was 172.

These numbers fall below the actual number of positive coronavirus cases in the SLO County, because the results of antigen tests and at-home tests are not included in the county's weekly COVID counts.

Based on available data, 54,600 San Luis Obispo County residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.

Here's how local coronavirus case numbers from the past week break down day by day:

— Thursday: 65

— Friday: 64

— Saturday: 19

— Sunday: 27

— Monday: 41

— Tuesday: 93

— Wednesday: 44

The uptick in new COVID cases pushed the two-week average up to 46 as of Wednesday, according to Public Health data.

That's an increase from last week, when the average was at 38, put it still pales in comparison to the two-week average at the peak of the Omicron surge at 649, the release said.

"The bright spot today is that vaccines and treatment are more easily available than ever before," Borenstein said in the release. "Now is the time to protect yourself with the vaccine and a booster, if you haven't already. If you start to experience any symptoms, test without delay — effective treatment is available for people at high risk but it needs to be started within five days of the first symptoms."

The agency on May 18 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 64% of COVID-19 cases, 74% of hospitalizations and 67% of deaths since June 15.

Over the past seven days, these are the top coronavirus case totals by city: 91 in San Luis Obispo, 51 in Paso Robles and 36 in Atascadero.

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

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

Are you suffering from long COVID? The Tribune wants to speak with you

The prevalence of long COVID in San Luis Obispo County is currently unknown, but we want to learn how living with the lingering side effects of COVID-19 may have impacted the lives of impacted community members.

Fill out the form below to share your story and help us shape our COVID-19 coverage moving forward. You can also fill out the form at bit.ly/slolongcovid.

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