Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Three deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Humboldt County since the most recent report Friday. One was a person in their 40s, one in their 60s and one over the age of 80. Department Operations Center staff share their sympathies with the family, friends and caregivers of those who have died.

Also since Friday, two hospitalizations have been reported, one county resident in their 60s and one in their 70s. Eighty-four new cases have been reported. A total of 8,182 residents have tested positive for the virus.

Pfizer announced Monday that internal trials have shown that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children ages 5 to 11, and that the company would seek authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of the month for emergency use in this age group.

There is currently no strict timeframe for this process. Pfizer signaled that it would file its application by the end of the month, and FDA officials have said they would evaluate the data “hopefully within a matter of weeks,” according to news accounts.

Pfizer vaccines are already available to residents 12 and older. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to adults 18 and over.

In other vaccine news, an advisory committee voted Friday to recommend the FDA approve COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals and those working in specific high-risk settings.
 
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or ACIP will meet to discuss the recommendation Wednesday and Thursday, and the FDA is expected to make a final decision in the coming days. If approved, the booster could be received as soon as six months after the second shot. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Testing for COVID-19 is now available at most Public Health vaccine clinics, where residents will have the option of getting tested, vaccinated or both. As always, testing and vaccination services are provided free of charge. Combo clinics will be held this week in Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Garberville, Blue Lake, Arcata and Eureka.

COVID-19 testing continues in Eureka from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week at the Wharfinger Building at 1 Marina Way. The test site is operated by OptumServe and located in the Bay Room on the lower floor of the building. The site is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. for staff meal breaks. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is recommended. Sign up at lhi.care/covidtesting.

Public health officials continue to urge residents to get tested, particularly unvaccinated individuals, those experiencing symptoms, and those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

Walk-ins are welcome at most locations, and appointments can be made in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. For instructions in English and Spanish on how to use My Turn, go to humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo. 

See the schedule below for specific clinic dates, times, locations and available services:

Weitchpec — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Yurok Tribe Weitchpec Office (State Route 96)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3 to 5 p.m.
     Public Health (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Garberville — Wednesday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Public Health (727 Cedar St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Blue Lake — Thursday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center-Skinner Store (111 Greenwood Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Thursday, Sept. 23, 4 to 6 p.m.
     Arcata High School (1720 M St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Friday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to noon
     D Street Neighborhood Center (1301 D St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Friday, Sept. 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
     Transition-Age Youth Division (433 M St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Vaccination is also available at local pharmacies. To check availability of a specific vaccine, visit vaccines.gov, or text your ZIP code to 438829 to locate a pharmacy offering vaccines nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.

Pfizer is authorized for those 12 and older, and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. County residents age 16 and 17 can receive a vaccination at Public Health clinics without a parent or guardian physically present as long as they have a signed consent form. Children under 16 still must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

While some fully vaccinated individuals have experienced post-vaccination infection, health officials overwhelmingly agree that vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of severe outcomes.

Full protection from vaccination is achieved two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.

View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.

Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check for vaccine availability at a local pharmacy: Vaccines.gov
Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/Dashboard
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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