Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Five additional cases of COVID-19 were reported in Humboldt County, bringing to 8,937 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. One new hospitalization of a person in their 70s was also reported.

On Monday, Merck & Co. and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP formally requested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grant emergency use authorization for its oral antiviral pill molnupiravir that aims to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at risk of developing severe illness. There is no set timeline for FDA’s review of the request.

Humboldt County Public Health’s contact tracing unit was joined today by a grant-funded team of investigators who will bolster local efforts to contain COVID-19 in high-risk settings like schools and health care facilities. The team consists of English and Spanish speakers, including eight investigators, one supervisor and one resource manager. 

Contact tracing is an important tool to identify and isolate cases before the virus spreads in the broader community or within a facility with a high risk of transmission.

The new team will allow Public Health to streamline its workflow in the short-term, while developing procedures to more efficiently handle future outbreaks after the team’s contract ends at the end of the year. Many have already served in other California counties throughout the pandemic, so they are expected to take on full assignments next week following a few days of training on the county’s systems.

Humboldt County continues to be designated an area of high COVID-19 transmission by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Residents — particularly unvaccinated individuals — are urged to get tested if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

No-cost testing is available through OptumServe seven days a week at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka. Mobile testing sites are scheduled throughout the county most weekdays. For more information about testing, go to humboldtgov.org/covidtestregistration.

The county’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Appointments for Public Health vaccination clinics are not required but are recommended due to an increase in demand for additional doses and boosters. 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:

Garberville — Wednesday, Oct. 13, 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

Arcata — Thursday, Oct. 14, 4 to 6 p.m.
     Arcata High School (1720 M St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Friday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available

Miranda — Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
     South Fork High School (6831 Avenue of the Giants)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Sunday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Oct. 18, 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

Weitchpec — Tuesday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
     Yurok Tribal Office (CA-96)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Oct. 19, 3 to 5 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Check availability of a specific vaccine at local pharmacies at vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

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.

Contrary to previous reports, the vaccine clinic located at the Wharfinger Building on Friday, Oct. 15, will not offer PCR or rapid tests. Residents can access PCR testing through OptumServe, located at the same site. 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 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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