SLO County COVID cases rise amid surge — as state updates guidelines for isolating

John Lynch
·3 min read
12

As a wave of new COVID-19 cases ushered in the new year in San Luis Obispo County and around the country, California updated its isolation guidance for residents infected with the virus.

Across the country, new COVID-19 hospitalizations have trended upwards after hitting an all-time low of 6,326 during the week of June 24, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since then, hospitalizations have been on the rise across the U.S., reaching 34,798 the week of Dec. 30.

Weekly deaths have been relatively low compared to the peaks of 25,974 and 21,332 in early 2021 and early 2022, respectively, with 839 recorded in the final week of 2023, according to the CDC.

SLO County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said the county has seen an uptick in requests for COVID-19 antigen tests and Paxlovid treatment from clinics in the county.

Though the past week has seen a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations in San Luis Obispo County, hospitalizations have been on the rise in recent weeks, Borenstein said.

The county stopped counting individual cases of COVID-19 in September 2022, though public health officials continue to monitor its spread.

The most recent surge in cases nationally are likely the result of the JN.1 variant, which has become the most common form of COVID-19, Borenstein said.

“We don’t really know what the severity of JN.1 looks like,” Borenstein said. “Anecdotally, it may be less severe than other strains, but it seems to be just as transmissible if not more.”

Because the symptoms may be less severe, COVID infections may be more likely to fly under the radar and be confused with a flu, cold or other respiratory virus.

However, Borenstein said with fewer people masking, more people may be exposed to COVID-19.

“We’re certainly aware that though the recommendation on (wearing a mask) has not changed, it has not been widely utilized,” Borenstein said. “We highly recommend (wearing a mask), especially in situations where someone with recent COVID is around high-risk individuals, or even in places that are crowded and subjected to transmission.”

San Luis Obispo County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein asked residents to be wary of scam phone calls related to vaccinations.
San Luis Obispo County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein asked residents to be wary of scam phone calls related to vaccinations.

State issues new COVID-19 isolation guidelines

On Jan. 9, the state of California issued new isolation guidance for residents infected with COVID-19.

According to the updated guidance, people who have tested positive for COVID-19 may now leave isolation after 24 hours without a fever and improving symptoms, followed by a 10-day masking period.

Previously, Californians were advised to stay in isolation for five days, followed by 10 days of masking, according to a news release from San Luis Obispo County.

The updated guidance only applies to the general public, excluding healthcare settings, which have their own isolation and quarantine guidelines under the Dec. 2, 2022, All Facilities Letter from the California Department of Public Health.

“The most important thing to remember is to stay home if you are sick ― that’s been true throughout the pandemic and remains true with this change,” Borenstein said in the release. “If you are feeling much better and no longer have a fever, you can end your isolation while being vigilant to mask around others.”

“That means avoiding situations where you might take off your mask, like eating at a restaurant,” Borenstein continued in the release. “Please be honest with yourself about your symptoms and take care to protect yourself and others.”