Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Daily reporting of the most recent local COVID-19 data has been delayed due to short staffing and the high number of positive cases being processed. Humboldt County Public Health estimates that more than 90 individuals have tested positive since the most recent report Friday. A full update of the daily, weekly and monthly datasets on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard is expected to be included in tomorrow’s report.

Due to the recent record-breaking surge in positive cases and a reduction in state-assigned staff following California’s full reopening in June, Public Health has changed the way it handles COVID-19 case investigations. A case investigator will still attempt to contact each individual who tests positive to conduct an initial interview and will assign the case as priority or low risk. If the case is determined to be a priority due to its high potential for spread among a vulnerable population, a case investigator will follow up with the person’s close contacts and check in on their status throughout their isolation period.

Under the revised process, when a case is deemed low risk, Public Health will provide information about appropriate medical care and what a person who tested positive should do if symptoms develop or worsen then clear the case from additional tracking, often the same day it is reported. Cases will also be cleared when county residents who test positive do not respond to repeated contacts or refuse to participate in the contact tracing process. Cleared cases may be reopened if contact is made later with someone who had previously not responded to outreach.

To reflect this change in practice, the “Recovered” metric on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard will be renamed “Cases Cleared,” which is defined as the cumulative total of confirmed cases that are no longer being actively tracked by Humboldt County Public Health case investigations teams. 

As case rates increase, residents are encouraged to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. All available vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe outcomes, hospitalizations and death from COVID-19. Vaccine is available by appointment and to walk-ins at Public Health vaccination clinics located throughout the county, and most local pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines. See the Public Health clinic schedule for the next seven days below, and sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov.

Fields Landing – Tuesday, Aug. 3, from noon to 2:30 p.m.
     Fields Landing Boat Ramp (End of Railroad Ave., South Humboldt Bay)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

King Salmon – Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
     Gills by the Bay (77 Halibut Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Eureka – Thursday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods Gym (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Moderna

McKinleyville – Friday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Six Rivers Brewery (1300 Central Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     *$5 voucher toward food and drink for those who get vaccinated at this clinic.

McKinleyville – Friday, Aug. 6, from 3 to 6 p.m.
     Ace Hardware (2725 Central Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     *$25 gift card from Ace to those who get vaccinated at this clinic.

Eureka – Saturday, Aug. 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     North Coast Stand Down (Veterans Memorial Building, 1018 H St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Blue Lake – Sunday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children as young as 12 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older. Full protection from the vaccine is achieved two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine. 

To check availability of vaccines at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.

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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