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4 more SLO County residents die from COVID-19, but number of new cases is falling

Tribune - 10/15/2021

Oct. 15—San Luis Obispo County reported four new COVID-19 death on Friday — the first fatalities reported in 10 days.

Two of those deaths involved people ages 50 to 64, and two involved people ages 65 to 80, according to county Public Health Department data. A total of 335 county residents have now died as a result of the virus.

"We are saddened by these deaths and we extend our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones," said Dr. Penny Borenstein, Public Health officer. "These losses are particularly tragic at this stage in the pandemic when vaccines are available to prevent nearly all severe illness and death from this painful disease."

The latest somber news came as the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline and hospitals see fewer patients requiring treatment and acute care.

The number of county residents hospitalized for the virus has fallen to 13, including four residents in the intensive care unit, according to the latest Public Health data. County hospitals now have 53% of their ICU beds available.

On Friday, Public Health reported 123 new COVID-19 cases countywide. In total, 28,724 county residents have tested positive for coronavirus since March 2020.

The 14-day average number of daily new cases fell to 37 on Friday, the lowest it's been since July 31. That number is a quarter of the county's peak daily case rate in early September, at the height of the Delta variant surge.

The number of active cases also has again fallen below 1,000, to 972 — that's about half what it was six weeks ago.

"While our case rates continue to trend downward, we are in an unstable time when this trend could change very quickly," Borenstein said. "I want to recognize everyone in our community who is doing your part to stop the spread of disease and bring us to a more stable place. Please, protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask while indoors."

Three-day COVID-19 case breakdown

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

— Wednesday: 38

— Thursday: 47

— Friday: 38

The county Public Health Department is not providing information about how many newly reported individual cases, hospitalizations and deaths involve vaccinated and unvaccinated people due to resource limitations and privacy concerns.

Instead, Public Health is releasing weekly data showing the percentages of unvaccinated people who've contracted COVID-19, received hospital treatment for the virus or died from it since June 15.

The agency on Oct. 8 released data showing 78.3% COVID-19 cases, 84.1% of hospitalizations and 77.6% of deaths since June 15 have involved unvaccinated people.

New COVID-19 cases by city

Here is where new COVID-19 cases were added this week in San Luis Obispo County, according to ReadySLO.org:

North County

Paso Robles: 14

Atascadero: 13

San Miguel: 5

Shandon: 5

Templeton: 2

South County

Nipomo: 26

Arroyo Grande: 19

Grover Beach: 11

Pismo Beach: 5

Oceano: 4

SLO and North Coast

San Luis Obispo: 16

Cal Poly (campus residents): 4

Morro Bay: 1

The locations of 15 cases were listed as "other." A total of 157 cases remained under investigation.

SLO County coronavirus cases by the numbers

Here's a look at some key COVID-19 data points in San Luis Obispo County, according to the Public Health Department.

— Active cases: 972

— Recovered cases: 27,410

— People recovering at home: 959

— People receiving hospital care: 13

— Total people in intensive care units: 4

People in intensive care units out of the county: 0

— Deaths due to COVID-19: 335

Here are the total number of COVID-19 cases in communities throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Paso Robles: 5,851

San Luis Obispo: 5,263

Atascadero: 3,096

California Men's Colony: 2,382

Arroyo Grande: 2,169

Nipomo: 2,141

Grover Beach: 1,246

Templeton: 1,038

Oceano: 892

Los Osos: 726

San Miguel: 702

Cal Poly (campus residents): 677

Morro Bay: 614

Pismo Beach: 507

Cambria: 276

Santa Margarita: 227

Shandon: 219

Atascadero State Hospital: 212

Creston: 114

Cayucos: 114

Avila Beach: 48

San Simeon: 38

For a detailed look at local coronavirus cases by age, occupation and more, visit ReadySLO.org.

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 emergencySLO.org/testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.

To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255. The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines 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.

For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.

This story was originally published October 15, 20211:46 PM.

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