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KCBX News Update: SLO County coronavirus surge eases, and grant money available to local organizations

Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

$5.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds available to SLO County organizations 

Grants funded by the American Rescue Plan totalling $5.5 million will go to organizations in San Luis Obispo County affected by the pandemic.

The county announced two programs today. The first is $3 million for local nonprofits that experienced financial hardship from the pandemic, or that provide services to people affected by it. The deadline for that is March 1.

The second program is $2.5 million to local organizations who provide “technical assistance to businesses, workforce development, and job training for people impacted by COVID-19,” according to the county. Applications for that are due February 23.

The application for both programs is available on the county’s website.

SLO County also expects to open another round of small business grants for COVID relief in the coming weeks.

SLO County active coronavirus cases and hospitalizations start to fall, four more deaths reported

SLO County’s coronavirus surge may be starting to ease, according to county data released today

The county reported 1,172 new confirmed cases of the virus since Friday, though officials warn the actual number is likely higher, mainly due to people testing positive at home.

Active cases and hospitalizations saw a significant decline: officials are reporting 2,641 active cases, compared to 4,239 on Friday.

Meanwhile, 44 people are hospitalized with COVID compared to 67 on Friday. One less person is also in the intensive care unit since Friday.

The county also reported four more deaths from the virus since Friday.

66.6 percent of eligible SLO County residents are fully vaccinated as of today, and 53.9 percent have received a booster.

SLO County’s coronavirus website is slopublichealth.org/COVID19.

Benjamin Purper was News Director of KCBX from May of 2021 to September of 2023. He came from California’s Inland Empire, where he spent three years as a reporter and Morning Edition host at KVCR in San Bernardino. Dozens of his stories have aired on KQED’s California Report, and his work has broadcast on NPR's news magazines, as well. In addition to radio, Ben has worked as a newspaper reporter and freelance writer.
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