Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

A Humboldt County resident has died with COVID-19. Eleven new cases of the virus were reported today, and one previously reported case was determined to be from another county and removed. The total number of county residents who have tested positive now stands at 3,895.  

The individual who died was in their 80s. Humboldt County Public Health and emergency response staff extend their condolences to the community member’s family, friends and care providers. 

In today’s weekly update of the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that Humboldt County remains in the “Orange” or Moderate tier with a positivity rate of 6.4% and adjusted case rate of 13.1 per 100,000 residents, the second highest rate of California’s 58 counties. This means the county has accumulated one week of “Red” tier metrics. 

CDPH requires two weeks of worsening data to move to a more restrictive tier, but, according to the state’s website, if CDPH “determines there are objective signs of stability or improvement the county may remain in the tier.” CDPH has indicated that signs of stability relate to both containment of current outbreaks as well as the local hospital system’s ability to meet anticipated demand. 

Local Public Health officials emphasized that community residents can support efforts to lower case rates by continuing to wear a mask in accordance with state guidance, avoiding large gatherings — especially indoors — and getting vaccinated as soon as possible. 

A Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at the Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department (50 Center St.). Walk-ins will be accommodated as long as doses are available. To sign up in advance, go to MyTurn.ca.gov, or call 833-422-4255. 

Many local pharmacies are also offering COVID-19 vaccination. To check availability and times, go to VaccineFinder.org. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its face coverings guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. CDPH followed that announcement by issuing guidance that closely mirrors CDC’s with a few notable exceptions. 

While CDC’s guidance states that unvaccinated people can forego masking outdoors except in large crowds, CDPH still requires masking anytime 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Both agencies state that everyone should continue to wear face masks in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. 

To read CDPH’s guidance in full, go to cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx.

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. 

Some local pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments. See if there are appointments available at one of these locations by clicking on the links below.

Safeway: mhealthappointments.com/covidappt
CVS Pharmacy: cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-link2-coronavirus-vaccine
Rite Aid: riteaid.com/covid-19
Walgreen’s: walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19
Walmart: walmart.com/cp/1228302
Costco: costco.com/covid-vaccine.html

Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Vaccine Finder: VaccineFinder.org
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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