Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today 45 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 10,952 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. Three new hospitalizations, one person in their 70s and two aged 80 or older, were also reported.

Since the last data update on Dec. 17, the county has recorded 383 new cases of COVID-19. Two deaths were reported during that period, both unvaccinated. Twelve new hospitalizations of residents were also reported. Eleven were unvaccinated and one was vaccinated. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:

• 4 people in their 40s
• 2 people in their 50s
• 2 people in their 60s
• 2 people in their 70s
• 2 people 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 February 2021 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.

The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending Dec. 19. for fully vaccinated individuals is 16 per 100,000 residents, while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 20 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.

Public Health is continuing to urge residents to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves from the Delta and Omicron variants. Those aged 5 and older are eligible to get vaccinated and anyone aged 16 and older is encouraged by Public Health to get a booster if it’s been six months or more since the completion of their initial vaccine series.

Health officials continue to stress that vaccination and booster shots can lessen the impacts of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, including hospitalizations and deaths. Currently, samples from people who test positive for COVID-19 locally are sent to the state for genome sequencing if travel to areas impacted by the Omicron variant is reported. To date, Humboldt County has received the sequencing results on two samples, both showing the Delta variant. However, the Omicron variant has been confirmed throughout the country, and incidence of the variant is anticipated to rise over the next several weeks following holiday gatherings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend anyone who is sick or unvaccinated and has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 forego travel. All travelers are recommended to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and to isolate and get tested if they develop symptoms after travel.

OptumServe testing sites in Eureka and Arcata will operate with reduced hours this weekend in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The Wharfinger Building site in Eureka will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, and closed Saturday, Jan. 1. It will reopen for regular hours starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2. The OptumServe mobile testing site in Arcata will be open on Friday, Dec. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments are required and can be made at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Turnaround times for test results through OptumServe average two to three days.

The COVID-19 Joint Information Center (1-707-441-5000) will also be closed Friday for the holiday. English and Spanish speaking call takers will resume regular operations on Monday to answer questions related to COVID-19 vaccination, testing and preventive measures. Questions emailed to covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us over the holiday will also be responded to on Monday.

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, an 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.

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.

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

Eureka — Monday, Jan. 3, 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 — Tuesday, Jan. 4, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 16 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose

Appointments required.

Eureka Pediatric — Tuesday, Jan. 4, 1:15 to 4 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 to 11
     Pfizer only
     No testing available
     Appointments required.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Jan. 4, 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.

Trinidad — Thursday, Jan. 6, 2 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     Appointments strongly recommended.

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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