Public Health director Sofia Pereira on new youth sports guidelines.

Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today 28 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 9,797 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. No deaths or hospitalizations were reported.

To maintain strong immunity against COVID-19 with winter approaching, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) simplified its booster guidance and is encouraging all vaccinated residents to receive a booster as soon as they’re eligible.

The state’s updated My Turn vaccination portal now allows all adults aged 18 and older to make appointments to receive a booster dose of their choice — as long as it’s been at least six months since their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months since their Johnson & Johnson shot.

Updated guidance regarding masking and youth sports was finalized today following weeks of meetings between Public Health staff and representatives from schools, districts and local sports leagues. The new guidance will permit individuals in high-intensity indoor youth sports programs to remove masks during active gameplay if a mask poses a health and safety risk to the individual. Individuals must wear masks when not in active gameplay.

To mitigate the risk associated with unmasked indoor activity and to identify COVID-19 cases quickly, twice weekly testing of all players, staff and coaches who remove masks during play or competition is required, regardless of vaccination status. Public Health also recommends that officials test if they are removing their masks during game play for health or safety reasons, and that schools provide access to testing for them as well. The entire guidance document can be viewed here Humboldt County Youth Sports Masking Requirements.

Public Health officials are continuing to urge all eligible Californians aged 5 and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and for partially vaccinated individuals to complete their vaccination series. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an unvaccinated person is 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than a vaccinated person.

Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Although walk-ins are allowed at most regular Public Health clinics and many pharmacy vaccination sites, a sharp increase in demand for boosters has caused delays at some locations. As a result, appointments are required for pediatric clinics and for clinics at Public Health’s main office. Appointments are strongly recommended for all other clinics and are the best way to ensure a shot is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

Vaccines, including boosters, are widely available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

See the schedule below for specific vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services:

Trinidad — Thursday, Nov. 18, 4 to 7 p.m.
      Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Petrolia — Friday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
      Mattole Resource Center (167 Sherman St.)
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Honeydew Family Clinic — Friday, Nov. 19, 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
      Honeydew Elementary School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
      Ages 5-18 and family members
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Arcata Family Clinic – Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Arcata High School (1720 M St.)
      Ages 5-18 and family members
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Redway – Sunday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon
      Redwoods Rural Health Center (101 W Coast Rd.)
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Miranda Family Clinic – Sunday, Nov. 21, from 2 to 5 p.m.
      South Fork High School (6831 Avenue of the Giants)
      Ages 5-18 and family members
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      PCR and rapid testing available
      Appointments strongly recommended

Eureka — Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
      Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
      Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
      Appointment required. No testing available.
      $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
      Appointments required

Eureka Pediatric Clinic — Tuesday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
      Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
      Ages 5 to 11. Pfizer only.
      Appointment required. No testing available.

View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.

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 1-707-441-5000.

 
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