Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

A Humboldt County resident in their 50s has died with COVID-19. The staff of the Departmental Operations Center share their sympathies with the person’s family, friends and caregivers and to all those who have lost someone to the virus. 

Fifty new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Humboldt County today, bringing the total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus to 5,401. 

Nine hospitalizations are being reported, one on July 29, two on July 30, one on July 31, one on Aug. 1, one on Aug. 2 and three on Aug. 3. The ages of those who were hospitalized are as follows:

• 1 person in their 30s
• 1 person in their 40s
• 1 person in their 50s
• 2 people in their 60s    
• 4 people in their 70s.   

Masking Order Issued 

Due to the greater transmissibility of the Delta variant, the surge in cases and rising hospitalizations, a universal masking order will be issued in Humboldt County. The order, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, applies to all individuals above the age of two, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings will be required in public indoor settings as well as crowded outdoor settings. Masking is also recommended for private settings. 

Violations of the health order may be reported to the authorities in the jurisdiction where the violations are alleged to have occurred. Members of the public who wish to report a potential violation may call the appropriate county or city office directly. Those jurisdictions are: 

• City of Arcata 707-822-5953
• City of Blue Lake 707-668-5655
• City of Eureka 707-441-4203
• City of Fortuna 707-725-1435
• City of Ferndale 707-786-4224
• City of Rio Dell 707-764-5642
• City of Trinidad 707-677-0223
• Unincorporated county locations 707-476-2429

Testing Options Available 

Testing is another critical tool for curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the community because it allows those who test positive to isolate before spreading the virus to others. If someone develops cold-like symptoms or suspects they have been exposed to the virus, health officials recommend getting tested, regardless of vaccination status, and isolating while awaiting those results. 

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way in Eureka. The testing site is located in the Bay Room on the lower floor of the facility. Walk-ins are welcome but staff recommend signing up in advance at lhi.care/covidtesting to save time. The site is closed to walk-ins between the hours of 11 a.m. and noon and 4 to 5 p.m. Test results are available within two to four days. For information, please contact the Joint Information Center at 707-441-5000 (not the Wharfinger Building’s business line or the City of Eureka).

PCR testing is also available by appointment through the Palco Pharmacy, located at 113 Main St. in Scotia. To register for a test, call 707-764-3591 or visit doineedacovid19test.com/Scotia_CA_929.html. Other local pharmacies provide COVID-19 testing services as well. Check with individual pharmacies for information. 

At-home testing kits are also available over the counter from local pharmacies and online vendors. Results are available within minutes to two days depending on the type of test. Symptomatic people with negative antigen test results and those who test positive through the antigen process are required to take a more sensitive, confirmatory PCR test. Anyone with a positive at-home test is advised to isolate and contact their physician.

For businesses and organizations that wish to perform routine testing, the California COVID-19 Testing Task Force provides free rapid antigen testing kits. To apply or find out more, go to testing.covid19.ca.gov/get-started/ .  

Vaccination Advised 

Vaccination prevents serious outcomes from COVID-19, and eligible residents are advised to get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Vaccine is available by appointment and to walk-ins at Public Health vaccination clinics located throughout the county. To sign up in advance, go to MyTurn.ca.gov. Most local pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines. 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.

See the Public Health clinic schedule for the next seven days below: 

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 for 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

Eureka – Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Eureka Boat Launch (1701 Waterfront Drive under the Hwy. 255 overpass)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Arcata – Thursday, Aug. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Arcata Transit Center (925 E St.)
     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.

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

For facial covering guidance, go to cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx. 

For COVID-19 testing guidance and information, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html and the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Updated-COVID-19-Testing-Guidance.aspx.

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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