Growing concern as COVID-19 cases increase along central coast

Central coast counties continue to see an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Current figures show that the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara are seeing a sharp increase in the number of cases.

San Luis Obispo County health officials reported that this week alone they had a total of 129 new cases – nearly double the number of new cases reported in the previous week and a growing concern, especially for those who do not are not vaccinated.

“I think if you are not vaccinated it would be a good idea to wear a mask,” said Santa Maria resident Tony Showalter.

A statement released by SLO Co. Public Health Office, Dr Penny Borenstein said in part:

“The Delta variant spreads faster and easier than other strains of COVID-19, but we each have the power to stop its spread here in SLO County. “

She adds that the solution to stopping the spread is to mask yourself and get vaccinated.

In Santa Barbara County, Delta cases are also on the rise. The county reported 32 new cases on Tuesday, a significant jump from previous weeks, which were around nine cases per day, according to public health official Dr Henning Ansorg.

“Sometimes we find that people who are vaccinated get sick. However, they do not get seriously ill. They have like a minor cold or minor symptoms, ”Ansorg said.

He pointed out that those who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of being hospitalized or worse.

“I wear a mask in my pickup when I go to Costco, when I go to all of these places. I got all my injections but I still put my mask on,” said Albert Lewis, a resident of San Luis Obispo. .

If you decide you don’t want a vaccine, Dr Ansorg says the best thing to do is wear a mask inside if possible.

“Wear a mask indoors, like in a store, movie theater, restaurants, etc. I’m not saying outside at all… it’s only inside,” Ansorg said.

According to San Luis Obispo County health officials, of all the cases reported this week, nine have been confirmed to be the Delta variant, but they add that not all cases are sequenced to determine their strain, the actual number. could be considerably higher.