Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Division:

The Humboldt County Public Health Branch is assisting staff and management at Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in response to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Public Health visited the long-term care facility Wednesday following concerns about possible infections. To date, 12 people have tested positive for the virus, which includes both residents and staff.

“We’re always concerned when our seniors and medically vulnerable members of the community are at risk,” said Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira. As of now, no residents have been hospitalized.

Pereira said staff were in consultation with the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections Program and are working with the facility to provide infection prevention education and guidance, as well as assisting with acquiring any state resources that may be available.

Public Health’s Outbreak Response Team has visited Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center twice so far to provide testing and offer infection prevention recommendations, and will continue to work with facility management to test residents every two to three days.

According to the facility management, Fortuna Rehab has stepped up screening of all employees for COVID-19 symptoms, adding that visits are currently restricted to slow the spread of illness.

Public Health staff will provide support as needed through the weekend. Additional information will be available next week.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov Local information is available at humboldtgov.org.