Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Forty additional cases of COVID-19 were reported in Humboldt County today, bringing to 8,595 the total number of county residents who have tested positive. Two new hospitalizations were also reported, including one person in their 30s and one person in their 70s.

Since the last weekly data update on Sept. 24, the county has recorded 243 new cases. Five deaths have been reported in that time, including one death of a fully vaccinated individual. 

Of the 14 hospitalizations reported over the last seven days, one was fully vaccinated, 12 were unvaccinated and one is under investigation. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:

• 1 person in their 20s
• 3 people in their 30s
• 2 people in their 40s
• 1 person in their 50s
• 2 people in their 60s
• 2 people in their 70s
• 3 people over the age of 80.

The graph below depicts average weekly case rates in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents. 

As the graph illustrates, case numbers continue to decline in both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, though the case rates for both groups remain high. The seven-day average case rate for fully vaccinated individuals is 8 per 100,000 residents, while the rate for unvaccinated people is 34 per 100,000. See the case rate graph for a more detailed depiction. While case rates have decreased significantly from their peak, hospitalizations continue to be at the highest rates they have been, double what they were in the winter and spring.

Public Health officials encourage community members to continue to mask and follow other precautions that are proven to reduce transmission, including testing for the virus. 

Residents experiencing symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to get tested. No-cost testing is available through OptumServe seven days a week at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka and at mobile testing sites throughout the county each weekday. To make an appointment, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Both rapid and PCR tests are available at Public Health mobile vaccination clinics, where residents have the option of getting tested, vaccinated or both. As always, testing and vaccination services are provided free of charge. 

Due to an increase in demand for additional doses and boosters, appointments at Public Health vaccination clinics are strongly recommended but not required. Sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. For instructions in English and Spanish on how to use My Turn, go to humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo.

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

Arcata — Saturday, Oct. 2, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Arcata Farmers’ Market (Arcata Plaza/808 G St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing NOT available

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Oct. 5, 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

Eureka — Thursday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods main parking lot (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Friday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
     Agricultural Building (5630 S. Broadway St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Hoopa — Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Hoopa High School (101 Loop Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

To check availability of a specific vaccine at a local pharmacy, visit vaccines.gov or text a ZIP code to 438829.

Pfizer is authorized for those 12 and older, and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. County residents age 16 and 17 can receive a vaccination at Public Health clinics without a parent or guardian physically present as long as they have a signed consent form. Children under 16 still must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

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

In other vaccine news, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today plans to require all K-12 students be vaccinated against COVID-19 once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approves the vaccine for children. 

The state will require students to be vaccinated for in-person learning by the beginning of the first school term after the vaccine is approved for their age group. In an announcement today, the governor’s office said the requirement will be implemented in two phases based on grade level, first in grades 7-12 followed by grades K-6. The state anticipates the requirement would apply to the first group starting in July 2022 based on current projections but could be implemented as soon as January 2022 if the FDA grants full approval sooner. 

The state will also put in place a requirement for staff to be vaccinated with the first group and will no longer allow the option of regular testing. For more information, read the news release from the governor’s office at gov.ca.gov/2021/10/01/california-becomes-first-state-in-nation-to-announce-covid-19-vaccine-requirements-for-schools/.

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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