Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Thirty-seven new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Humboldt County today, bringing to 8,021 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus.

Two new hospitalizations were also reported, including a person in their 60s and another in their 70s, and a person in their 70s has died. Department Operations Center employees extend their condolences to the friends, loved ones and caregivers of all who have died.

Public Health Combo Test/Vaccine Clinics Opening Countywide

Effective today, testing for COVID-19 will be offered at most Public Health vaccine clinics, where residents will have the option of getting tested, vaccinated or both. As always, testing and vaccination services are free of charge. Combo clinics will be held this week in Petrolia, Honeydew, Miranda, McKinleyville, Hoopa, Willow Creek and Garberville.

Public health officials continue to urge residents to get tested, particularly unvaccinated individuals, those experiencing symptoms, and those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be made 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 and locations:

Petrolia — Friday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Mattole Valley Resource Center (167 Sherman Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing available 

Honeydew — Friday, Sept. 17, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
     Honeydew School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing available 

Miranda — Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     South Fork High School (6831 Avenue of the Giants)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     Testing available 

McKinleyville — Sunday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     McKinleyville High School (1300 Murray Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     Testing available 

Eureka — Monday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
     Public Health (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing NOT available 

Hoopa — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Yurok Tribe Weitchpec Office (State Route 96)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing available

 Willow Creek — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3 to 5 p.m.
     Public Health (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing available 

Garberville — Wednesday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Public Health (727 Cedar St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Testing available 

Vaccination is also available at local pharmacies. To check availability of a specific vaccine at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov, or text your 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. 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.

While some fully vaccinated individuals have experienced post-vaccination infection, health officials overwhelmingly agree that vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of severe outcomes.

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.

CDC Urges Increased Ventilation

With cooler weather approaching and increased gathering indoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a layered approach to reducing the exposure and spread of COVID-19, including vaccination, handwashing, masking, physical distancing—and ventilation.

The CDC recommends increasing the flow of outdoor air by opening windows and doors and using fans to increase their effectiveness. The CDC also recommends opening dampers beyond the minimum settings to reduce or eliminate recirculated air in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC systems.

The minimum recommended filter rating is 13 MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, which is at least 50% efficient at capturing particles in the .3 to 1.0 micrometer size range and 85% efficient at capturing particles 1.0 to 3.0 micrometers in size range. For more information about COVID-safe ventilation, click cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ventilation.html.

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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