Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today two new hospitalizations due to COVID-19, a resident in their 50s and another in their 70s. An additional 194 new cases were also reported, bringing to 14,928 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus.

With the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant circulating widely in the community and record high cases locally, Public Health officials are reminding residents, particularly those who are not vaccinated, to take steps to limit their exposure to and potential spreading of the virus. Residents are encouraged to wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public spaces, distance six feet from others when possible and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. While vaccinated and unvaccinated are both at high risk to get Omicron, as was not the case with other variants, the risk of hospitalization and death for those who are unvaccinated remains significantly higher.

Health officials urge everyone aged 5 and older to get vaccinated and all eligible individuals aged 12 and older to get a booster. Fully vaccinated or boosted individuals typically develop milder symptoms, experience shorter illness duration and have fewer hospitalizations and less severe outcomes. Local data shows that unvaccinated adults in Humboldt County are 13 times more likely to be hospitalized than those adults who are fully vaccinated.

Since the last data update on Jan. 14, the county has recorded 2,010 new cases of COVID-19. One death of an unvaccinated person in their 20s was reported during that period. Nine new hospitalizations due to COVID-19 were also reported. Four were unvaccinated, four were fully vaccinated and another’s vaccination status is unknown. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations in the seven-day period are as follows:

• 1 person in their 30s
• 2 people in their 50s
• 1 person in their 60s
• 4 people in their 70s
• 1 person aged 80 or older

The graphs below, which depict average weekly case rates and estimated weekly hospitalization and death rates in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents, show that more severe outcomes from COVID-19 are higher among unvaccinated individuals.

For the reporting period between May 30, 2021, and Jan. 9, 2022, 16 fully vaccinated Humboldt County resident died from COVID-19. The average age of those deaths was 79. During that same period, 48 unvaccinated residents died from the virus. The average age of those deaths was 67. During that same period, 59 fully vaccinated residents were hospitalized with an average age of 74 and 248 unvaccinated individuals were hospitalized with an average age of 58.

The graph above, from data between May 30, 2021, and Jan. 9, 2022, illustrates the county’s current weekly hospitalization rate for fully vaccinated individuals is 0.3 per 100,000 while the rate for unvaccinated individuals is 1.4 per 100,000. Over the past 10 weeks, both the hospitalization and mortality rates for unvaccinated individuals was approximately 11 times greater than those for fully vaccinated. View a more detailed depiction of the hospitalization and death rates graph here.

The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is approximately 139, meaning that for every 100,000 residents, approximately 139 tested positive daily over the last seven days. Case rates vary considerably by vaccination status, as illustrated in the graph below, which depicts average weekly case rates since February 2021 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.

The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending Jan. 9, for fully vaccinated individuals is 85 per 100,000 residents, while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 94 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.

To decrease the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is continuing to stress that individuals should complete the entire 5-day period under the guidelines for reduced isolation and quarantine periods.

Under the CDPH Self-Isolation Instructions, individuals who test positive and are symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate for at least five full days after the start of COVID-19 symptoms. Day one is the first day after the symptoms start. If a person has no symptoms and tests positive, day one is the first day after the positive test.

A person who tests positive and never has symptoms, or a person who has symptoms that are improving and no fever on day five, can test on day five or later and leave isolation the next day if that test is negative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s quarantine and isolation guidance recommends that if a person tests positive on day five, that individual should continue to isolate for the entire 10-day period.

Anyone who ends an isolation or quarantine period after day five should continue to wear a well-fitted mask around others for an additional five days.

To increase testing capacity in response to the recent surge in cases, the federal government is providing four at-home COVID tests for each household. These can be ordered online, free of charge, at COVIDTests.gov.

Additionally, as of Jan. 15, federal law requires health insurers to cover up-front costs of at-home COVID-19 tests purchased at pharmacies or retailers, or allows individuals to be reimbursed for up to eight home tests per month. Information is available at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.

As always, Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Although walk-ins are allowed at most regular Public Health clinics and many pharmacy vaccination sites, an increase in demand for boosters has caused delays at some locations. As a result, appointments are required for pediatric clinics and for clinics at Public Health’s main office. Appointments are strongly recommended for all other clinics and are the best way to ensure a shot is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

Vaccines, including boosters, are available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text your ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. Questions about clinic services can be directed to the Joint Information Center at 1-707-441-5000.

Fortuna — Saturday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Fortuna Veterans Hall (1426 Main St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Fortuna — Sunday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Walker Elementary School (2089 Newburg Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments required.

Eureka — Tuesday, Jan. 25, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 12 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments required.

Eureka Pediatric Clinic — Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1:15 to 3:45 p.m. 
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 to 11
     Pfizer only
     No testing available
     Appointments required.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Wednesday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
     Marshall Resource Center (2100 J St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Trinidad — Thursday, Jan. 27, 2 to 7 p.m. 
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Friday, Jan. 28, 1 to 8 p.m.
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe by appointment on the lower floor of the Wharfinger Building.
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

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 1-707-441-5000.

Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.go
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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