Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Three Humboldt County residents have died with COVID-19, including one person in their 20s, the youngest resident to have died with the virus. One of the individuals who died was in their 60s and the third in their 70s, bringing the number of residents who have died with the virus to 65.

One of the individuals whose death was reported today was fully vaccinated, the  first COVID-related death of a fully vaccinated individual reported in the county.

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said the fully vaccinated individual who died was in their 70s. “As with any vaccine, breakthrough cases do occur. Most are mild,” he said. “More severe cases are generally related to the age and condition of the individual.”

The staff of the Department Operations Center offer their condolences to the families, friends and caregivers of those who died and to all those who have lost someone to the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that out of more than 168 million people in the U.S. who are fully vaccinated 1,829 have died with the virus. While some people who are fully vaccinated do become infected with the virus, health officials widely agree that the most effective way to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated. 

Ninety-eight 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 6,741. Three new hospitalizations were also reported, including one person in their 70s and two over the age of 80.

Dr. Hoffman stressed the importance of an additional dose of mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals, saying that it triggers their bodies to produce enough antibodies to protect against the more contagious Delta variant.

“We strongly urge those who are immunocompromised and previously received two doses of an mRNA vaccine to get an additional dose of the same vaccine now,” he said. People with compromised immune systems may be more likely to become infected even if fully vaccinated with two doses. CDC provides more information at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html. 

Vaccines are available at Public Health clinics and many local pharmacies. To check availability of a particular vaccine at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most local pharmacies allow walk-ins. Walk-ins are also welcome at Public Health clinics, or appointments can be made in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. 

See the schedule of upcoming Public Health clinics below: 

Fortuna – Thursday, Aug. 26, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
     Dollar General (650 S. Fortuna Blvd.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Thursday, Aug. 26, from noon to 5 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Petrolia – Friday, Aug. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon
     Mattole Valley Resource Center (167 Sherman St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Friday, Aug. 27, from noon to 5 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Honeydew – Friday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
     Honeydew Elementary School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Ferndale – Saturday, Aug. 28, from noon to 5 p.m.
     Humboldt County Fair – main parking lot (1250 Fifth St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson 

Redway – Sunday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     Redwoods Rural Health Center (101 W. Coast Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson 

Pfizer is authorized for those 12 and older, and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Full protection from vaccination 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 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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