With new cases of STDs at an all-time high nationwide, chlamydia and gonorrhea are steadily on the rise in San Luis Obispo County.

In 2016, there were 1.59 million cases of chlamydia, 468,514 cases of gonorrhea and 27,814 cases of syphilis in the United States, which combined, made for a record high for number of new STD cases reported, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, California Department of Public Health figures show the number of chlamydia cases in SLO County has increased each of the last five years, while gonorrhea cases have risen four consecutive years. Syphilis cases in SLO County have also risen over that span, though not as consistently.

Over the last five years, SLO County has had 868, 983, 1,033, 1,083 and 1,146 (2016) cases of chlamydia respectively. Gonorrhea cases have risen from 84 to 230 (2016) cases over the last five years, with a jump from 62 to 151 occurring between 2013 and 2014.

Syphilis cases in SLO County spiked last year, rising from 10 in 2015 to 19 in 2016. In 2012, there were 12 syphilis cases in the county, followed by six in 2013 and five in 2014.

SLO County public health officials remind residents to get tested and protect themselves.