“We are always trying to improve the information we provide to the public to help them understand the local situation and that is part of that effort,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, a county public health officer. “While at the moment the ICU capacity in SLO County is better than in Southern California, our local COVID-19 situation is getting worse and the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 is greater than ever.”
After consulting with local hospitals, county officials adjusted the total ICU bed metric from 53 licensed ICU beds to show 38 licensed and staffed ICU beds. Previously, it included all licensed beds, regardless of whether they could be serviced.
“The ICU information for the hospital we are providing is based on data provided by local hospitals to the county’s Department of Public Health. We plan to update it daily, ”said Dr. Borenstein.
SLO County reported that COVID-19 claimed the lives of an additional 10 members of the local community, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths in SLO County to 111 since the start of the pandemic. The county added almost 850 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, exceeding a total of 13,700 cases since the pandemic began in March 2020. Currently, 43 community members are hospitalized due to COVID-19, 11 of which require intensive care.
“Help us to stop the sudden increase,” said Borenstein. “Avoid social gatherings, cover your face when you are in public, stay home if you are sick and for at least 10 days if you have been exposed to COVID-19.”
For more information, visit www.ReadySLO.org or call the public health information line recorded at (805) 788-2903. A staffed call center is available at (805) 543-2444 to assist with questions related to COVID-19, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Unfortunately, today we report that another 10 members of the local community between the ages of 70 and 100 died of COVID-19. Our hearts are with those who lost their lives because of this virus, as well as with their loved ones, who are in mourning today. (1/2)
– SLO Public Health (@SLOPublicHealth) January 11, 2021