Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Fifty-eight new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Humboldt County today. The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 7,169.

Seven new hospitalizations were also reported today. The age ranges of those hospitalized are as follows:

• One person in their 30s
• One person in their 50s
• One person in their 60s
• Three people in their 70s
• One person over the age of 80.

Local health and school officials urge the community to stay safe over the upcoming Labor Day weekend and to reconsider travel plans and avoid large gatherings, especially if they or their family members are unvaccinated. 

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said, “In light of record hospitalizations in our county and the urgent need to help reduce exposures to COVID-19 in our schools, we ask all who are unvaccinated, including unvaccinated children, to stay home this holiday weekend. The last thing we want to see in our community is another spike in cases like we saw following the winter holidays.”

Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk, Chief Executive for Providence in Humboldt County, appealed to the community on behalf of local hospitals. “Due to the high transmissibility of the Delta variant in our county, the safest way to enjoy the Labor Day weekend this year is for those who remain unvaccinated to avoid travel and large group settings,” she said. “Our caregivers ask you to be safe and want to remind you that vaccination is the safest way to protect against the spread of the virus.”

Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Chris Hartley urged the community to do its part to ensure schools remain safely open. “Humboldt County schools are open and have started the school year with in-person instruction. However, we are walking a fragile line and need to do our collective best to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We join Public Health in encouraging unvaccinated people to limit travel over the upcoming Labor Day weekend as this may help reduce further increase of COVID-19 cases in our county.”

While some people who are fully vaccinated do become infected with the virus, health officials widely agree getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19. Immunocompromised individuals who received mRNA vaccine Moderna or Pfizer are advised to get a third dose of the same vaccine to build a strong response to the virus.  

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be offered on Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Public Health vaccination clinic at College of the Redwoods. Public Health has additional clinics planned this week, and walk-ins are welcome. For those who would like to make an appointment in advance, go to MyTurn.ca.gov. 

See the schedule of upcoming Public Health clinics below: 

Eureka – Thursday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods – Main Parking Lot (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Moderna/Pfizer

McKinleyville – Friday, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Six Rivers Brewery (1300 Central Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Samoa – Friday, Sept. 3, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
     Humboldt Bay Social Club (900 New Navy Base Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

To check availability of particular vaccines at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a pharmacy offering vaccines nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.

Pfizer is authorized for those 12 and older, and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Full protection from vaccination is achieved two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.

The COVID-19 testing site in Hoopa will be closed tomorrow due to the Knob Fire. Testing is unaffected at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. To save time, register in advance at lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Test results are usually available two to four days later. See mobile testing schedule at humboldtgov.org/2787/Test-Registration.

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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