Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Fifty-three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the county today. The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 6,341. 

Five new hospitalizations were also reported, including one person in their 30s, one in their 40s, one in their 50s, one in their 60s and one in their 80s. 

Humboldt County Public Health and other approved local vaccinators have administered a total of 142,480 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination data on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard has been updated. Some highlights include:

• Local vaccinators have administered 1,946 doses since the last weekly report, with a majority of those being first doses.
• 70,324 Humboldt County residents are now fully vaccinated, representing 59.1% of the vaccine-eligible population age 12 or older and 51.7% of the county’s total population.

Due to record-high case volume, changes have been made to the Department Operations Center’s data dashboard to remove metrics that have become too time-consuming to track. The “Cases Cleared” metric, for example, is no longer being updated and will eventually be removed from the dashboard, because currently there is no efficient mechanism for determining a conclusion of illness for any particular individual.

Updates to “Transmission Type” have also been discontinued. Data show that the virus is widespread in our communities to the extent that it is frequently impossible to determine whether cases come from travel, contact to a known case, community spread or any other source.

Additional changes are planned, including an increased use of automation to update the dashboard and a migration from local to state data sourcing. Both are intended to allow Public Health staff to focus their energies on getting people vaccinated and ending this pandemic.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Wednesday announced new restrictions for indoor events with 1,000 or more people attending. Starting Sept. 20, participants will be required to show documentation of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before the event. Self-attestation will no longer be allowed. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also released a statement Wednesday about the plan to provide booster doses to maximize the protection of the vaccine and prolong its durability. While vaccines continue to protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death, health officials are seeing some evidence of waning protection against infection in association with the highly contagious Delta variant. 

Pending authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, booster doses will be offered eight months after the second dose of mRNA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna. The CDC also expects a second dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be needed. Plans are being made to ensure that adequate infrastructure and supply will be available locally if the FDA approves boosters more broadly.

Third doses of mRNA vaccines are currently recommended for those who are moderately or 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 vaccine series. Those who want to know if a third dose is right for them should consult their primary care provider. For more information, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.

Vaccine remains broadly available at this time and is the most effective way to prevent COVID-19. 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: 

Ferndale – Friday, Aug. 20, from noon to 5 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Carlotta – Friday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
     Cuddeback Elementary (300 Wilder Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

McKinleyville – Saturday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Church of the Joyful Healer (1944 Central Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Saturday, Aug. 21, from noon to 5 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Arcata – Sunday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     Carlson Park (Mad River Pkwy. E)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Sunday, Aug. 22, from noon to 5 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.

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
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