Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today 14 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 10,346 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. One new hospitalization was also reported, a resident in their 70s.

The California Department of Public Health announced today that 16- and 17-year-olds can now receive a Pfizer booster — if it has been at least six months since their initial Pfizer vaccination series.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized yesterday to expand eligibility to this age group with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encouraging everyone aged 16 and older to get a booster as soon they are eligible to increase protection against the Delta and Omicron variants.

Omicron has been identified in California and 22 other U.S. states so far and Public Health is continuing to conduct genetic testing locally to monitor while awaiting the arrival of the fast-spreading variant.

Stricter travel requirements by the CDC also went into effect this week for international passengers flying into the U.S. to show a negative test taken one day before their departure, regardless of vaccination status.

Residents who have travelled internationally in the past two weeks and test positive with at-home tests are asked to call the Joint Information Center at 1-707-441-5000 to report their results to Public Health. Those who have not travelled outside the U.S. and test positive with an at-home test for COVID-19 should notify their primary care provider, or Public Health if there is no provider, and isolate to limit the spread of disease.

Travelers leaving Humboldt County who are flying internationally should contact the airline prior to travel and stay current on their destination’s specific COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements. Information can be found for most countries at the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory website.

Since the last data update on Dec. 3, the county has recorded 167 new cases of COVID-19. One death of a vaccinated resident in their 70s was reported during that period. Eight new hospitalizations of residents were also reported. Six were unvaccinated and two were vaccinated. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:

• 1 person in their 30s
• 2 people in their 40s
• 2 people in their 60s
• 2 people in their 70s
• 1 person aged 80 or older.

The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is approximately 15, meaning for every 100,000 residents, approximately 15 tested positive daily over the last seven days. Case rates vary considerably by vaccination status, as illustrated in the graph below, which depicts average weekly case rates since Dec. 2020 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.

The current seven-day average case rate for fully vaccinated individuals is 8 per 100,000 residents while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 25 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.

All eligible adults aged 16 and older are encouraged to get a booster. Health officials also stress that those who are partially vaccinated should complete their vaccination series. A person who is fully vaccinated is half as likely to pass on the infection as someone who is unvaccinated. According to data from the CDC, an unvaccinated person is nearly six times more likely to get COVID-19 and 14 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than a vaccinated person.

Public Health is offering family vaccination clinics throughout December to give priority to children aged 5 to 11 and provide family members a convenient way to get their vaccines.

Vaccines, including boosters, are available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Although walk-ins are allowed at most regular Public Health clinics and many pharmacy vaccination sites, a sharp increase in demand for boosters has caused delays at some locations. As a result, appointments are required for pediatric clinics and for clinics at Public Health’s main office. Appointments are strongly recommended for all other clinics and are the best way to ensure a shot is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services:

Hoopa Family Clinic — Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
     Hoopa High (101 Loop Road)
     Ages 5-18 and family members.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.

Eureka — Sunday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Ag Building (5630 South Broadway)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     No testing available.
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose.
     Appointments required.

Eureka Booster Clinic — Tuesday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 16 and older.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     No testing available.
     Appointments required.

Eureka Pediatric Clinic — Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1:15 to 3:30 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 to 11. Pfizer only. 
     No testing available.
     Appointments required.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Eureka— Wednesday, Dec. 15, noon. to 5 p.m
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe on the lower floor of the Wharfinger Building.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Eureka— Thursday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe on the lower floor of the Wharfinger Building.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Blue Lake Family Clinic— Friday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
     Ages 5-18 and family members.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.

View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.

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 1-707-441-5000. 

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
###