Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Thirty additional cases of COVID-19 were reported today. A case reported last week was determined to be from out of the county, so the total number of Humboldt County residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 1,957. 

Late yesterday, the state issued a Health Order to limit the impact of a surge in COVID-19 patients in regions where intensive care unit capacity is at 0%. Hospitals in counties that fall under the Order are required to cancel non-emergency surgeries. Those hospitals also have the ability to transfer patients into and out of other regions, including the Northern California region, where ICU capacity sits at 24.4%. 

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said the intent of the order is to make ICU and other hospital beds available close to where patients live. “Canceling elective surgeries in areas with surging hospitalizations will free up beds almost immediately,” he said, adding that elective surgeries in Humboldt County are not affected at this time as the county does not meet the criteria. “Our community has done pretty well at protecting our health care system and preserving our hospital capacity. We all need to continue that commitment to each other and follow all COVID safety measures.” 

To read more about local impacts of the Order, go to humboldtgov.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3593. 

Read the Order at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Hospital-Surge_1-5-2021.aspx. 

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 the Joint Information Center at 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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