Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today 34 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 10,179 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. No deaths or new hospitalizations were reported.

With the Omicron variant confirmed in several states, including California, health officials are continuing to use testing and contact tracing to identify and limit its spread.

As of yet, there are no known cases of the Omicron variant in Humboldt County, but health officials are requesting doctors to ask their patients about their travel history so that they can identify and test those who may have been exposed.

Starting Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) stricter COVID-19 testing requirements for all travelers entering the United States will take effect. The new rule requires each traveler flying into the U.S. from another country, regardless of vaccination status, to test negative one day before their departure. This changes rules that had allowed inbound travelers to test up to three days before entering the country.

Additionally, the CDC recommends that all international travelers get a COVID-19 test three to five days after travel regardless of vaccination status.

Residents who travelled internationally in the past two weeks and test positive on 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 care provider, or Public Health if there is no provider, and isolate to limit the spread of disease.

Since the last data update on Nov. 19, the county has recorded 343 new cases of COVID-19. Two deaths — both unvaccinated residents — were reported during that period. Eleven new hospitalizations of residents were also reported. Ten were unvaccinated and one was vaccinated. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:

• 1 person in their 20s
• 2 people in their 40s
• 2 people in their 50s
• 3 people in their 60s
• 3 people aged 80 or older.

The seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is currently 12, meaning for every 100,000 residents, approximately 12 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 5 per 100,000 residents while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 14 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.

Health officials stress that the best way for residents to protect themselves from COVID-19 and variants like Omicron is to get vaccinated.

All eligible adults aged 18 and older are encouraged to get a booster. Health officials also stress that those who are partially vaccinated should complete their vaccination series. Someone 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:

Eureka Family Clinic – Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – FULL
     Eureka High School Cafeteria (1915 J St.)
     Ages 5-18 and family members.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.

Fortuna Family Clinic – Sunday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Walker Elementary School Cafeteria (2089 Newburg Road)
     Ages 5-18 and family members.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m. – FULL
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     Appointment required. No testing available.
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Dec. 7, 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.

Redway — Wednesday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     DHHS Office (3156 Redwood Drive)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Trinidad Family Clinic— Thursday, Dec. 9, 4 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Ages 5-18 and family members.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna.
     PCR and rapid testing available.
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Eureka— Friday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m – FULL
    College of the Redwoods Gym Lobby (7351 Tompkins Hill Road).
    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
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