Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

An additional 131 cases of COVID-19 have been reported over the three-day weekend. One previously reported case was determined to be a duplicate, so the total number of county residents who have tested positive is now 2,393.

The state on Sunday recommended that counties pause administering a single lot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. That lot represents approximately 90% of the doses Humboldt County has on hand for new first doses that were to be scheduled this week. Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman described this as an “enormous setback” and said that while no scheduled appointments have been postponed or canceled as of this week, groups next in line for vaccination could be hit hardest. 

“Plans to expand vaccination clinics to those over the age of 75 have been delayed by this pause, and it’s unclear how much longer that will continue,” Dr. Hoffman said. “People in this age group were just beginning to be vaccinated by local providers, so we’re working hard to secure more doses from anywhere they’re available to minimize the disruption as much as possible.” He went on to say that, “It’s distinctly possible that the lot will be released for distribution and we can resume plans to vaccinate older adults, but right now we just don’t know when that will be.” 

In related news, the California Department of Public Health today announced that Humboldt County remains in the “Purple” or widespread tier under the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” with an adjusted case rate of 17.7 and a positivity rate of 4.9%. 

Dr. Hoffman added that county residents should continue to follow COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing a facial covering, maintaining distance of at least 6 feet from anyone outside of one’s household, avoiding gatherings and washing hands frequently.  

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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Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert 

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