17 new COVID-19 deaths reported in SLO County as effects of winter surge linger

Although the numbers of new and active coronavirus cases continue to fall in San Luis Obispo County, COVID-19 deaths are still being recorded.

On Wednesday, the county reported 17 deaths due to the coronavirus over the last week, impacting people from their 40s to their 90s, according to a news release from Public Health. SLO County has now lost 470 residents to the coronavirus.

The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department announced last Tuesday that the twice-weekly COVID-19 update will be changed to a weekly update, released Wednesdays, due to a dropping case numbers.

“Today’s news mirrors what we are seeing across the country, that deaths increase several weeks after a peak in cases,” County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in a news release.

The deaths are reminders of this past winter’s surge in COVID-19 cases, Borenstein said.

Since Tuesday, March 1, San Luis Obispo County added 302 new COVID-19 cases, according to Public Health data. New cases have declined steeply as the omicron surge waned. The county has not seen a daily number in triple digits in almost two weeks.

Here’s how local coronavirus case numbers from the past eight days break down day by day:

Wednesday: 72 Thursday: 53 Friday: 61 Saturday: 29 Sunday: 22 Monday: 26 Tuesday: 18 Wednesday: 21

The decline in new COVID-19 case numbers has dropped the 14-day average to 46, according to Public Health data, while the number of active cases has fallen to 344. The last time the 14-day average was this low and active cases were in the 300s was before Christmas.

The number of people hospitalized for COVID is also way down, to 12 people as of Wednesday, with one patient in the intensive care unit, according to Public Health.

In February, the county reported 4,664 total COVID-19 cases, in January there were 14,659 cases and 2,618 in December, according to the news release.

In response to declining cases, the county lifted the mask mandate in alignment with the state, but masks are still strongly recommended in crowded indoor places.

“I encourage everyone in our community, especially those at higher risk for severe disease, to protect yourself with the vaccine, wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and get tested right away if you are sick or exposed to COVID-19 so you can access treatment if it’s appropriate for your health situation,” Borenstein said in the release.

Prescribed, at-home treatment options recently expanded for people at high risk of severe COVID-19, such as people living with asthma, heart disease, or those older than 65, according to the news release.

“Lifesaving treatment for those who are sick is now more widely available than at any time during the pandemic, but it must be started early,” Borenstein said in the release. “Vaccines are still the best tool we have to prevent severe illness and death and are key to ending the pandemic.”

The agency on March 9 released data showing that unvaccinated people account for about 65% of COVID-19 cases, 77% of hospitalizations and 66% of deaths since June 15.

However, COVID case counts reported by Public Health do not include people who test positive using at-home antigen test kits and may be an undercount, Public Health said.

Over the past eight days these are the top coronavirus cases by city: 48 in San Luis Obispo, 45 in Atascadero and 37 in Paso Robles.

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, Paso Robles and Morro Bay. 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, 209 Surf St. in Morro Bay and 800 Pine St. in Paso Robles.

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.

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 800 Pine St.

For more information on clinic hours, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Vaccines