Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

A Humboldt County resident in their 60s has died with COVID-19, bringing to 59 the number of county residents who have died with the virus. The staff of the Department Operations Center share their condolences to the family, friends and caregivers of the person who died. 

One hundred ninety-one new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the county since Friday. The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 6,161.

Eight new hospitalizations were also reported, including one person in their 20s, one in their 30s, two in their 40s, two in their 50s, one in their 60s and one in their 70s.

Since the last weekly update on Aug. 9, the county has reported 429 new cases of COVID-19, 30 new hospitalizations and three deaths. To date, 287 hospitalizations and 59 deaths have been confirmed in the county. 

As case numbers and hospitalizations continue to rise in Humboldt County, health officials urge residents to reconsider gatherings at this time to limit transmission in the community. 

The Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society on Friday issued a strong appeal to the community to get vaccinated, signed by 111 local physicians. “You’ve trusted us with every other aspect of your health. Please trust us with this,” the letter states. “We are not asking you to do anything that we have not already done. Please, for the sake of our community: the young, the old, and all the in-betweens, get vaccinated.” Click here to read the full letter. 

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended third doses of mRNA vaccines Pfizer or Moderna for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The third dose should be the same vaccine as the initial series and administered at least four weeks after completing a primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. Those who want to know if a third dose is right for them should consult their primary care provider. 

All available vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus. Vaccine is available at Public Health clinics located throughout the county, and walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment in advance, go to MyTurn.ca.gov.

See the schedule of upcoming Public Health clinics below: 

Willow Creek– Tuesday, Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Willow Creek Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Willow Creek– Tuesday, Aug. 17, 3:30 to 6 p.m.
     Willow Creek Family Resource Center (38883 Hwy. 299)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Wednesday, Aug. 18, from noon to 3 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Orick– Thursday, Aug. 19, from noon to 2 p.m.
     Orick School – 120918 Hwy. 101, Orick
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Thursday, Aug. 19, from noon to 3 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Trinidad – Thursday, Aug. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall – 409 Trinity St.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Friday, Aug. 20, from noon to 3 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Most local pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines, and many allow walk-ins. Visit vaccines.gov to check availability, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby.

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.

Vaccinated individuals who have close contact with someone with COVID-19 should get tested three to five days after exposure even if they don’t have symptoms. They should wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative, according to the CDC. Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate for 10 days if their test result is positive. 

OptumServe has expanded its locations for no-cost testing. For information on testing locations, see humboldtgov.org/2787/Test-Registration. In addition to public testing sites, at-home polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and less sensitive rapid antigen test kits are available through local pharmacies and online vendors. 

View the Humboldt County Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download today’s data.

 

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
###