County Reports More than 2,000 Active COVID-19 Cases

Author: Joint Information Center

Date:
12/22/2020 5:21:32 PM

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12/22/2020 5:23:43 PM
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Risk of getting or spreading disease increases as local cases surge

In Spanish

San Luis Obispo, CA — The County of San Luis Obispo today reported 258 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of active local cases to 2,050. This is the highest number of new daily cases and highest number of active local cases reported since the pandemic began. Health officials report the surge in new cases reflects the “second generation” of cases spread during Thanksgiving holidays.

“This surge in cases means the risk has gone up for all of us in SLO County,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer. “Every activity now carries more risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 than it did even a few weeks ago. We must all do our part to make sure we do not fuel this surge during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. Please: wear a mask, stay home if you are sick, and avoid gathering with people outside your household.”

The surge in cases mirrors patterns seen across the state. It threatens to overwhelm local health care capacity if it continues and is already straining local contact tracing capacity, with contact tracers struggling to quickly inform contacts of possible exposure. Anyone who has been in close contact (more than 15 minutes within six feet) with someone who tests positive for the virus should self-quarantine without waiting for a call from a contact tracer. It is also putting pressure on public health response resources, as public health teams are currently responding to 15 active outbreaks at long-term care facilities, corrections facilities, fire stations, and other settings.

“These cases represent more than two thousand of our neighbors who in some cases are now very ill as a result of our collective actions a few weeks ago,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein. “Now is not the time to let your weariness get the best of you. As difficult as it is, we must continue to protect each other and especially our most vulnerable neighbors by doing what it takes to slow the spread.”

For more information, visit www.ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444 is available Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist with questions related to COVID-19.

County Reports Over 2,000 Active Cases of COVID-19

Risk of contracting or spreading the disease increases with more local cases

San Luis Obispo, CA – San Luis Obispo County reported 258 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total number of active local cases to 2,050. This is the highest number of new daily cases and the highest number of active local cases reported since the pandemic began. Health officials report that the increase in new cases reflects the “second generation” of cases spread over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“This increase in cases means that the risk has increased for all of us in SLO County,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer. “Every activity now carries a higher risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 than even a few weeks ago. We must all do our part to ensure that we do not fuel this increase during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. Please: wear a mask, stay at home if you are sick and avoid meeting people outside your home. “

The increase in cases reflects the patterns seen across the state. It threatens to overwhelm local healthcare capacity if it continues and is already straining local contact tracing capacity, with contact trackers struggling to quickly inform contacts of potential exposure. Anyone who has been in close contact (more than 15 minutes within six feet) with someone who tests positive for the virus must self-quarantine without waiting for a call from a contact tracker. It is also putting pressure on public health response resources, as public health teams are currently responding to 15 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, fire stations and other settings.

“These cases represent more than two thousand of our neighbors who in some cases are now very ill as a result of our collective actions a few weeks ago,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein. “Now is not the time to let your tiredness get the better of you. As difficult as it may be, we must continue to protect each other and especially our most vulnerable neighbors by doing what it takes to slow the spread.”

For more information, visit www.ReadySLO.org or call the Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., there is a staffed call center at (805) 543-2444, available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help with questions related to COVID-19.

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