Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Five new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Humboldt County today. One previously reported case was removed because it was determined to be a duplicate. The total number of county residents who have tested positive now stands at 4,586. 

Additional cases of the significantly more contagious Delta variant were identified in Humboldt County this week. Delta is anticipated to become the predominant strain locally as in the rest of the country, where it is responsible for one in every four new infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Public health officials urge community members to get vaccinated and continue to follow common-sense measures to protect themselves, as well as children and medically vulnerable members of the community. 

• Wear a face covering in high-contact situations or poorly ventilated spaces
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Follow safety measures when traveling
• Get tested if you have been exposed, even if you are asymptomatic
• Stay home if you feel sick.

Public health officials agree that vaccination remains the best tool available to protect against COVID-19. Vaccines are also proving to be effective at protecting against all the variants, including Delta. Given the local increase in hospitalizations in younger people, now is the time for everyone age 12 and older to get vaccinated as the best way to prevent serious illness and death from the COVID-19 virus. 

The highly transmissible Delta variant infects unvaccinated people almost exclusively, and full vaccination appears to provide greater protection than a partial dose. Those getting the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should make sure and get both doses. 

Vaccine is available at Public Health clinics and at most local pharmacies. Walk-ins are welcome or sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. See the clinic schedule for the next seven days below.

Arcata – Friday, July 2 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Arcata Ball Park/Humboldt Crabs game (888 F St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Free admission and a hot dog dinner for the first 100 people who get vaccinated at this clinic.

Rio Dell – Saturday, July 3 from noon to 2 p.m.
Dollar General (44 W. Davis St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Fortuna – Tuesday, July 6 from noon to 2 p.m.
Dollar General (650 S. Fortuna Blvd.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Samoa – Wednesday, July 7 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Samoa Women’s Club (115 Rideout Ave.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

 Fortuna – Thursday, July 8 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Humboldt Senior Resource Center (3200 Newburg Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children as young as 12 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for those 18 and older.

COVID-19 vaccine is also available at many local pharmacies. Check availability at vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.

OptumServe testing sites will be closed Sunday, July 4, and the COVID-19 Call Center will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. 

 View the Humboldt County Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download today’s data.

 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 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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