Covid-19

Health Department opens Saturday hours to accommodate Pfizer boosters for those 50+  SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Public Health released a statement on Thursday, Sept. 23, that County Health officials and medical experts are reviewing evidence that...

FDA alerts staff of potential for false-positives with certain kits The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the following actions taken in its ongoing response effort to the COVID-19 pandemic: On Sept. 17, the FDA issued a Letter to Health Care...

These studies will aim to determine the cause and find much-needed answers to prevent this often-debilitating condition NATIONAL — The National Institutes of Health awarded nearly $470 million to build a national study population of diverse research volunteers and...

Cases rise amid the increase of vaccinations  SAN LUIS OBISPO —The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department reported on Tuesday, Sept. 14, that seven community members—ranging in age from their 50s to 90s—passed away from COVID-19.  This brings the...

More than 44,000 households have been paid or approved for payment SACRAMENTO – California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program has assisted in over $1 billion in funding, meaning the money has either been paid or approved for payment and awaiting disbursement—and will...

The new indoor mask mandate goes into effect September 1 at 12:01 a.m SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The County of San Luis Obispo (SLO) Public Health Department reported on Tuesday, Aug. 31, that due to the increase in cases, masks are again mandated for indoor activities...

SACRAMENTO — On Aug. 31, a group of California Assemblymembers announced that they have sent a letter to California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Mark Ghaly asking the state to grant staffing ratio waivers to hospitals in order to accept patients amid a...

In areas of substantial and high transmission of SARS-CoV-2 NATIONAL — The Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed an order to extend the evictions of tenants for failure to make rent or housing payments after the original order expired...

CDC will withdraw request for Emergency Use Authorization Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — After introducing the “California Roars Back” plan, a part of the $75 billion budget surplus announced back in May, followed by hosting several...

Evidence suggests that it is potentially more transmissible, however, not more deadly  SAN LUIS OBISPO — The San Luis Obispo County Health Officials reported that 129 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in San Luis Obispo County over the past week, including nine...

State Extends Rent and Utility Relief; CDC and FDA release joint statement on vaccine boosters  SAN LUIS OBISPO — Following the State of California's extension of its COVID-19 eviction moratorium and rent relief program, the County of San Luis Obispo is...

AB 832 extends the state’s eviction moratorium through Sep. 30 SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Monday, Jun. 28, to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through Sep. 30 and clear rent debt for low-income Californians that have suffered...

On June 15, the color-coded tier system will no longer be in place and mask mandates will end  SACRAMENTO — As the State continues to open up and the COVID-19 numbers steadily decline, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), County of San Luis Obispo,...

SLO County recovered cases hits 20,401 with 196 active cases  SAN LUIS OBISPO — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) most recent statistics on COVID-19, including updated data and tiers for reducing COVID-19 in the state under the Blueprint for a...

After 6.8 million doses administered, CDC pauses vaccine to investigate 6 cases of rare blood clot SAN LUIS OBISPO — County officials announce that they are following CDC and FDA recommendations to pause administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as federal...

After release of updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy, Gov. Newsom announces plan “Moving Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy” SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced on Wednesday, Apr. 7, that a total of 4 million...

County moves weekly COVID-19 briefing to every other week SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – Thirteen counties are moving to a less restrictive tier, although local public health departments may implement policies that are more restrictive than the state. From Purple...

Those at the highest risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes continue to be first in line to get vaccinated SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Public Health announced on Mar. 31 that about 60,000 additional SLO County community members – those age 30 and older – are...

State supporting trusted providers and counties for non-traditional outreach in hard-to-reach communities SACRAMENTO – News released today from the Governor’s office that with the supply of vaccines expected to increase in the upcoming weeks significantly, the State...

Community members aged 50 and older now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19 in the State under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Blueprint...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo health officials report that they have received information stating that scams involving the COVID-19 vaccine encourage residents to remember if something seems too good to be true it probably is. Scammers are using...

Special half-day clinic in Arroyo Grande vaccinates 600 in partnership with Farm Worker Outreach Task Force SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health reported that more than 600 County agriculture workers received COVID-19 vaccinations at a special...

Funding comes from SLO Community Disaster Support Fund The North County NeighborAid, formerly known as North County Womenade, announced via their spring bulletin that they have been approved for a $10,000 grant from the San Luis Obispo Community Disaster Support...

CDPH Announces that graduation and commencement ceremony organizers can begin to plan for events SAN LUIS OBISPO — On Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19, including updated data and tiers for...

PRJUSD received 400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, enough to inoculate their entire staff over the next two weeks Governor Gavin Newsom announced that, since the state began dedicating 10 percent of vaccine supply for education workers on Mar. 1, over 200,000...

SLO County reports only 25 new cases over the weekend  SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19 and updates to the state's COVID-19 response. Statewide COVID-19 Data as of Today California...

SLO County’s COVID-19 case rate dropped below 14 cases per 100,000, the State’s threshold San Luis Obispo — San Luis Obispo County Health announced today that organized youth and adult sports with modifications can resume in San Luis Obispo County starting Friday,...

The County plans to administer over 8,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week SAN LUIS OBISPO — Thursday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m., about 3,200 eligible residents will be able to book a first-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointment for next week. All first-dose appointments will...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — It was announced on Tuesday, Feb. 16, that San Luis Obispo County will not be moving forward to the Red Tier this week. According to the County Health Department, the county’s COVID-19 case rate continues to decline; however, the test positivity rate...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — With the recent release of two COVID-19 vaccines, San Luis Obispo County Health officials warn that misinformation is spreading online. County officials remind the community to look to trusted, credible sources for accurate information. “With so many...

Online tool empowers families and communities with information on status of reopening, safety planning, and available supports Map is available at the Safe Schools for All Hub and builds on additional transparency, accountability, and assistance...

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- The San Luis Obispo County Jail reported that the COVID-19 outbreak, which started on Dec. 10, 2020, and infected 63 inmates and seven sworn staff, has been declared over by Public Health Officials. According to the report, the last positive case...

SLO clinic will be temporarily closed Wednesday, then move to new location beginning Monday SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department will temporarily close the COVID-19 vaccine clinic in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, Jan. 27, due to the...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Health sent out a press release stating that services and activities under the Purple Tier part of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, such as outdoor dining and personal services, may resume immediately in San Luis...

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Over the last few weeks, the San Luis County Office of Public Health and County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein has released statements that opened topics of further discussion. The following are questions posed by the Paso Robles...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The San Luis Obispo County Office of Public Health announced starting today, Jan. 19, local public vaccination clinics will follow State direction and stop administering some Moderna COVID-19 vaccines due to reports of possible allergic reactions....

PASO ROBLES -- Monday, Jan. 18, was the first day for COVID-19 vaccinations at the North County Point of Distribution (POD) located at the Paso Robles Event Center.  Vaccines are currently available by appointment only. Adults over the age of 75 and specific...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo reports that the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic almost a year ago in March reaches 115.  The County reported that this milestone comes less than two weeks after the winter holiday...

Currently, 61% of Local Hospital ICU Beds Available SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Office of Public Health announced that community members now have access to more information to better understand how COVID-19 is impacting the local health care system. The...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — As of Jan. 8, more than 8,000 SLO County residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The County Public Health Department reported they have received more than 12,200 vaccine doses, which includes first and second doses. Additionally, health care...

State database outages over the weekend may cause a delay in this week’s local case counts SAN LUIS OBISPO — As COVID-19 transmission surges in San Luis Obispo County, local health officials reported 887 new cases over the holiday weekend, including the remainder of...

Governor outlines the framework to continue and expand safe in-person instruction in early spring, including a $2 billion early action proposal to support school safety measures Governor’s plan is built on four pillars: Funding to Support Safe Reopening; Safety &...

Federal partnership will provide no-cost Pfizer vaccines to residents and staff in long-term care facilities  SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Dec. 28 that California has opted into the federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership. At no cost to the state...

SAN LUIS OBISPO - On Thursday, Dec. 31, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's office released that 21 additional inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 related to the Jail outbreak that started on Dec. 10. These new cases bring the total number of inmates to test positive...

SAN LUIS OBISPO —The County Public Health Department plans to vaccinate even more local frontline health care workers after nearly tripling its COVID-19 vaccine supply this week. The County now has over 7,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines available. Starting today, Dec....

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The State extended its Regional Stay at Home Order for the Southern California Region, which includes San Luis Obispo County, on Tuesday, Dec. 29. SLO County’s cases have increased in December, resulting in more deaths and hospitalizations. However,...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County public health officials say that the prevalence of COVID-19 is still surging locally after the recent holiday weekend, despite a delay in cases reported. County health officials are inspecting a backlog of cases in the State’s...

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Monday, Dec. 28 San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's office reported that fifteen additional inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 in a continuation of the Jail outbreak that started on Dec. 10. The California Department of Public Health defines an...

Risk of getting or spreading disease increases as local cases surge SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County of San Luis Obispo reported 258 new cases of COVID-19 today, Dec. 22, bringing the total number of active local cases to 2,050. This is the highest number of new daily...

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Today, Monday, Dec. 21, the San Luis County Sheriff announced that two additional inmates and six additional Correctional Deputies have tested positive for COVID-19 in a continuation of the Jail outbreak that began on Dec. 10. The California...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo Fire Department Engineer and EMS Alec Flatos was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine shot from the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department. The shot was administered at 1:13 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, during a SLO...

Contact tracers need public's help with surge in cases SAN LUIS OBISPO — COVID-19 contact tracers in San Luis Obispo County need the public's help as a surge in cases recently has strained County Public Health Department resources.   "Don't wait to isolate,"...

16 people have died from coronavirus in December in the County SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials reported 195 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, Dec. 16, and two more coronavirus deaths. There have been 16 COVID-19 deaths in SLO County in...

SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-35th District) introduced a bill Wednesday, Dec. 16, that would limit the governor’s ability under the California Emergency Services Act (CESA) to unilaterally enact or change laws or regulations 60 days after the...

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, Dec. 14, issued an executive order addressing a variety of issues in response to the pandemic, including extending the availability of housing for migrant agricultural workers, providing a 90-day extension on tax returns and...

Front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care settings first to be vaccinated  Broad distribution will happen in months – California prioritizes essential workers and those most vulnerable to the virus. LOS ANGELES — As the first doses of the...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials reported 184 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, Dec. 15, and six coronavirus deaths. It's the fourth day in the past 10 that new cases topped 100, and the third time in the past seven, that number was more...

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), on Tuesday, Dec. 15, released updated guidance for youth and recreational adult sports.  The guidance applies to all organized youth and adult sports, including school and community-sponsored programs and...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Local hospital workers and long-term care facility residents and staff will be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in a matter of days. Due to limited supplies, the County is taking a phased approach to vaccine distribution over the...

SACRAMENTO — The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on Sunday, Dec. 13, completed its review of the federal process and confirmed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and efficacious. The Workgroup provided its confirmation to the Governors of...

WASHINGTON — Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine was endorsed Thursday, Dec. 10, by a U.S. government advisory panel for widespread use. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to sign off on the expert committee's recommendation, paving the way for shots to begin right...

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Public Health changed its rules on outdoor playgrounds Wednesday, allowing them to remain open in regions under strict stay-at-home orders.  The CDPH guidance on playgrounds remains in effect. Playgrounds located on...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — COVID-19 cases, deaths and outbreaks continue to surge to new highs in San Luis Obispo County. Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein pleaded for everyone to take the pandemic seriously. “At the end of the day, it really is all of our residents...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Beginning this week in San Luis Obispo County, close contacts of those with COVID-19 have two options for quarantine period from the last date of exposure: 14 days, or 10 days for those who are asymptomatic and don’t work in a high-risk setting....

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Southern California Region’s intensive care unit capacity continued to drop below 15% on Saturday. As a result, a stay-at-home order will begin at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, in San Luis Obispo County. The Southern California region’s ICU...

San Luis Obispo County will likely be under a stay-at-home order after intensive care unit capacity in the Southern California region fell below the 15% threshold, according to the California Department of Public Health. In the region, the ICU capacity dropped from...

Members of the same household are encouraged to maintain physical and mental health by visiting day-use public outdoor spaces SACRAMENTO — California State Parks today announced that state campsites in regions impacted by California’s Regional Stay at Home...

81 new cases reported on Friday SAN LUIS OBISPO — Four deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported on Friday, Dec. 4, by the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department, bringing the total number of deaths in the County to 42. SLO County Public Health reported the...

Initial allocation expected in mid-December SAN LUIS OBISPO — Rather than spend Thursday bashing the state or feeling sorry for San Luis Obispo’s regional draw in the new stay-home order, County Public Health Officer Penny Borenstein talked of the imminent arrival of...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The State of California issued a Regional Stay-at-Home Order on Thursday requiring Californians to stay at home as much as possible to help stop the surge of COVID-19 and prevent overwhelming regional intensive care unit (ICU) capacity....

Southern California Region, includes SLO County, expected to hit trigger in next week SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new regional stay-at-home order Thursday due to the COVID-19 surge. There are five regions — Northern California, Greater Sacramento, Bay...

First is from Jennifer Casteneda of Shell Beach SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department has started a "My COVID Story" series. The first story from Jennifer Casteneda of Shell Beach was posted on the County's website on Tuesday, Dec. 1. It is...

SLO County reports 182 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths over past three days SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom said if new COVID-19 cases continue to surge, the state is going to have to take “much more dramatic, arguably drastic action,” most likely reimposing stricter...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Community members will have more opportunities to get tested for COVID-19 for free in San Luis Obispo County starting this week. The County is adding more hours to the free, convenient community testing site in Paso Robles starting Tuesday, Dec. 1,...

SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County officials say they are not considering additional restrictions on restaurants or lodging as new COVID-19 cases continue to surge. "We are hearing of a rumor falsely claiming the County is considering closing outdoor dining or...