Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing to 9,427 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. Two hospitalizations were also reported, included a person in their 40s and one aged 80 or older.

County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman issued a new face covering order yesterday set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 8. Under the new Order:

• Humboldt County residents and visitors — regardless of vaccination status — must wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public settings and workplaces.
• Outdoor masking will no longer be required as of Nov. 8, including for children age 2 and older in school and daycare. Masking will continue to be strongly recommended in crowded outdoor spaces.
• Specific benchmarks are outlined that must be met to:
  1. Trigger an exception for unmasked gatherings of 100 people or fewer
  2. Rescind the order in full.

Nearly 59% of the county’s total population is fully vaccinated. Once the county reaches 70% fully vaccinated, certain indoor settings with stable cohorts of 100 or fewer fully vaccinated individuals may gather without masks if that setting is not covered by more restrictive state or federal guidance. Examples include gyms, fitness centers, religious gatherings and college classes. To gather unmasked, hosts, employers or organizers have to verify that all individuals are fully vaccinated, maintain a list of all attendees and control public entry.

Criteria for rescinding the mask order entirely include the following:

• Humboldt County must meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data tracker “moderate” transmission level for 21 consecutive days.
• Public Health officials determine hospital impacts from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses remain low.
• The county reaches 80% vaccination rate of the total population or Public Health officials determine there is sufficient community protection based on vaccination rates. 

Read the Order of the Humboldt County Health Officer for the Wearing of Face Coverings in Workplaces and Indoor Public Settings.

Public Health officials continue to stress that vaccination is one of the best tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic. All eligible residents who are unvaccinated are urged to get one of the three authorized vaccines, which offer the highest protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, according to the CDC. People who remain partially vaccinated are advised to complete the vaccination series to achieve full protection.

The Pfizer vaccine is now authorized for ages 5 to 11 and is recommended for children in this age group. For more information or to schedule an appointment, parents should contact their child’s health care provider or local pharmacy.

Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Appointments are recommended for most vaccination clinics and required at Public Health Main in Eureka. Sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov.

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

Blue Lake — Friday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Saturday, Nov. 6, noon to 4 p.m.
     Eureka Migrations Street Festival (At the corner of 2nd and E streets)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Saturday, Nov. 6, 5 to 8 p.m.
     Arts Alive! (231 Second St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Sunday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Eureka High School (1915 J St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Nov. 8, 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
     No testing available
     Appointments required
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose\

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

Garberville — Wednesday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (727 Cedar St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

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.

The Nov. 3 COVID Update news release incorrectly stated that 6% of the county’s population age 12 and older has received at least one dose. It should have stated that 6% of the population 12 and older is partially vaccinated. The Joint Information Center regrets the error.

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
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