San Luis Obispo County declares public health emergency, local emergency

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - The County of San Luis Obispo declared a public health emergency, as well as as local emergency on Friday.

"We're taking it very seriously," said San Luis Obispo County Administrative Officer Wade Horton. "We're also taking every means necessary to protect the public. I want to make it very clear to this date, the county still does not any confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, we want to take the precautions so when we do get our first case, we are prepared."

The decision was announced during a press conference at the County of San Luis Obispo Joint Information Center.

The public health emergency declaration will allow County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein to issue public health orders to limit the spread of the coronavirus and will free up additional resources to help with COVID-19 response.

"We are responding to a large number of inquiries for testing, for consultation, for information and we need to bring on additional staff, both nursing and other health care personnel," said Dr. Borenstein. "We are also getting resource requests for masks, and so these kinds of emergencies will help us in our preparedness and response efforts."

The local emergency declaration will help county government in its response to the pandemic.

"It allows us flexibility in procurement," said Horton. "It allows the Board of Supervisors some access to emergency reserve fund. It also allows some flexibility for our county staff to work in capacities that might be outside their normal job spec if needed."

The public health department has begun increasing the number of tests conducted by the San Luis Obispo laboratory.

There are currently no confirmed COVID-19 cases in San Luis Obispo County. 13 people have been monitored for the virus, nine are currently being monitored and four have been cleared. 48 people have been tested so far and more commercial labs are expected to have the testing capacity soon.

Horton added the county's response is being coordinated with the help of several different agencies and entities, both inside and outside the county.

"We're working closely with our federal and state partners, along with local agencies, Department of Education, Cal Poly, Cuesta, the local chambers of commerce, the seven cities," said Horton. "I think it's important for the community to know that our number one priority is to keeping people safe as we respond to the COVID-19 situation that continues to evolve."

Health officials said the latest information will be released online at ReadySLO.org.