Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the hospitalization of two residents for COVID-19, including a person in their 40s and one in their 60s. Due to a delay in the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE) system, there were 10 new antigen and no new PCR cases to report, bringing to 9,146 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus in the county.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization to expand COVID-19 vaccine booster dose options for millions of Americans who received a vaccine other than Pfizer.

The FDA authorized a Moderna booster for seniors age 65 and older, and those age 18 and older who are at high risk for serious COVID-19 illness. The Moderna vaccine booster will be half the dose of the first two and can be administered at least six months after completing the two-dose series.

The FDA also authorized a second Johnson & Johnson dose for anyone eligible, regardless of age, at least two months after the first shot. In addition, the FDA approved a “mixing and matching” of vaccine types, allowing anyone eligible for a booster dose to receive a brand different from the one they received initially.

The advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) met today to discuss the newly authorized COVID-19 vaccine boosters and to make recommendations for who should get them.

As of Tuesday, Humboldt County Public Health and other local vaccinators have administered a total of 157,416 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Local vaccination data has been updated on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard (humboldtgov.org/dashboard). Highlights include:

• Since the last weekly report on Oct. 13, 1,057 vaccine doses have been administered, and 686 additional residents have completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 78,922 residents, or just over 66% of the vaccine-eligible population age 12 and older, are fully vaccinated.
• Nearly 73% of the vaccine-eligible population has received at least one dose.

Residents, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are advised to get tested if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. Testing is available through OptumServe seven days a week at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka and at mobile sites throughout the county most weekdays. For more information about testing, go to humboldtgov.org/covidtestregistration.

Due to the increasing use of at-home tests for COVID-19, Public Health recommends residents report positive test results so transmission of the virus in the community can be better identified and people can be connected with needed resources.

Those with a positive at-home test for COVID-19 should isolate and notify their close contacts to limit the spread of disease. False positive test results are unlikely when an antigen test is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, according to the CDC’s antigen testing guidance page. Public Health officials stress that positive at-home test results should be reported to a health care provider or to Public Health if there is no provider.

Individuals who require documentation of test results for employment or travel may get PCR testing through Public Health or their health care providers. PCR follow-up testing for an at-home rapid test is most accurate 24 to 48 hours after an initial at-home positive test. For more information, visit the Humboldt County Home-Testing FAQ, or call the Joint Information Center at 707-441-5000.

Public Health will offer PCR testing at the Fortuna River Lodge site on Friday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, visit the Color test registration page.

In a White House press briefing yesterday, officials discussed a plan to ensure that vaccines for children ages 5 through 11 are available, easy and convenient. The proposed plan includes administering vaccines through trusted providers such as pediatricians, family doctors, primary care providers and rural health centers.

Pediatric doses of the vaccine are expected to be 10 micrograms, a third of the size of the dose authorized for those ages 12 and older, and administered using smaller needles, according to Pfizer’s recent application to the FDA for emergency use authorization. The FDA’s advisory committee will meet Tuesday, Oct. 26, to discuss.

The county’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Residents who receive their first or second dose of vaccine at a Public Health office in Eureka, Willow Creek or Garberville can choose a $25 Renner Petroleum or Coming Attractions Theatres gift card. Incentives are offered on a first-come, first-served basis at those locations only.

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:

Trinidad — Thursday, Oct. 21, 4 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Friday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Veterans Hall (1018 H St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

McKinleyville — Saturday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     McKinleyville High School (1300 Murray Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Rio Dell — Sunday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     Dollar General (44 W. Davis St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Fortuna — Sunday, Oct. 24, 3 to 5 p.m.
     Veterans Hall (1426 Main St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Oct. 25, 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
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Oct. 26, 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, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health (727 Cedar St.)
     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 a Public Health clinic 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.

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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