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From the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

As COVID-19 infections increase across the globe and within our own state, travel is increasing the risk of exposure for individuals in our community. High-risk travel is no longer limited to international destinations. Any travel to areas with community level transmission presents opportunities for exposure to COVID-19. All travelers to these areas, whether international or domestic, should be self-quarantining, which means staying at home except for accessing needed health care, for 14 days after return. If you have traveled and become ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath or other symptoms of concern while quarantining at home, you should contact your health care provider for guidance. 

Three recent flights may represent a possible exposure for COVID-19 infection, either because an individual on board has become a confirmed case or because a close contact whose test is pending was on board.

• 3/16/20: United Flight #5827 from Los Angeles Airport to Arcata 
• 3/18/20: Delta Flight #4124 from Seattle to Medford, OR 
• 3/18/20: United Flight #5555 from San Francisco Airport to Arcata 

The overall exposure risk for most individuals on these flights is low, but it is important that they quarantine at home for 14 days after their flight and contact Public Health or their health care provider if they become ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath or other symptoms of concern. 

This act of quarantining is critically important during this period, as we have not yet seen clear community transmission. It will help to slow transmission within our community, reduce risk for our most vulnerable residents and will lessen the impact on our health care system. This tool, in addition to sheltering in place, helps everyone to remain healthy. 

Public Health strongly recommends that individuals cancel non-essential travel. This travel not only increases your own risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection, it increases the risk within our community. 

If you are not ill, follow the most recent guidance to decrease transmission and stay at home. If you were a passenger on these flights and are ill, please contact your health care provider for guidance or the Community Information Line by calling 707-441-5000 or emailing covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us. For general questions about travel and quarantine, please call 707-441-5000.