Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Only five additional cases of COVID-19 were reported today, bringing to 2,960 the total number of Humboldt County residents who have tested positive for the virus. This is the lowest single-day report since Nov. 18.  

Health Officials Stress Importance of Keeping Vaccination Appointments 

Humboldt County Public Health continues to use every dose of the COVID-19 vaccine it is allocated on a weekly basis and will begin mass vaccinations of second doses for health care workers, emergency services workers and in-person educators, among others, this week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that second doses should be given no later than 42 days after the first. Because of this narrow window, Public Health Director Michele Stephens said it is vital that people show up for their vaccination appointments.  

“Missed appointments slow vaccination progress,” Stephens said. She added that both vaccines currently in circulation have stringent storage and handling requirements, so once they’ve been distributed for a clinic, they cannot be re-stored for future use. “No doses go to waste, so if you miss your appointment, your vaccine is given to someone else. But that means you’ll have to schedule a new appointment, which may not be available in the timeframe you need.” 

“We want to get the people who were prioritized early on fully vaccinated so we can expand to other groups, like people over 65 and workers in the food and agriculture sector,” Stephens said. “To do that, we need every member of our community to schedule an appointment when offered and do everything they can to keep that appointment.” 

Humboldt County Remains in ‘Purple’ Tier 

Today, the California Department of Public Health updated county tier assignments under the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.” Humboldt County remains in the “Purple” or widespread tier with an adjusted case rate of 16.9 and a positivity rate of 5.2%. For a full list of requirements under the purple tier, go to covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/. 

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000. 

Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/vaccineinfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard
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