Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

A Humboldt County resident in their 70s has died from COVID-19. Department Operations Center staff share their sympathies with the family, friends and caregivers of those who have died.

Two hospitalizations have also been reported, including a person in their 60s and one in their 70s. Thirty-five new cases have been reported, bringing to 8,289 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus.

As of Tuesday, Humboldt County Public Health and other local vaccinators have administered 152,555 doses of COVID-19. The number of residents who are fully vaccinated has risen to 75,821, or about 56% of the county’s total population. Seventy-one percent of the vaccine-eligible population age 12 and older has received at least one dose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a study that found unvaccinated people were 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated. The study also found unvaccinated individuals were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized, further emphasizing the importance of vaccination to keep people healthy and protect the local health care system. For more information, see the CDC’s study Monitoring Incidence of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, by Vaccination Status.

All three authorized vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Some people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received a two-dose mRNA vaccine — Pfizer or Moderna — may need an additional dose to build a strong immune response to the virus. This is different from boosters, which have not yet been approved for broad use. Immunocompromised individuals should talk to their doctor about whether an additional dose is appropriate for them.

Residents who are unvaccinated, experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus are advised to get tested for COVID-19. 

Testing is available at most Public Health vaccine clinics, with options for testing, vaccination or both, and these services are always provided free of charge. Combo clinics will be held over the next week in multiple locations from Redway to Willow Creek.

COVID-19 testing continues in Eureka from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week at the Wharfinger Building at 1 Marina Way. The test site is operated by OptumServe and located in the Bay Room on the lower floor of the building. The site is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. for staff meal breaks. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is recommended. Sign up at lhi.care/covidtesting.

Walk-ins are welcome at most locations, 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, locations and available services:

Blue Lake — Thursday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center-Skinner Store (111 Greenwood Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Thursday, Sept. 23, 4 to 6 p.m.
     Arcata High School (1720 M St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Friday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to noon
     D Street Neighborhood Center (1301 D St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Friday, Sept. 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
     Transition-Age Youth Division (433 M St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

McKinleyville — Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
     Church of the Joyful Healer (1944 Central Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Saturday, Sept. 25, noon to 2 p.m.
Carlson Park (5201 Carlson Park Drive)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Redway — Sunday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Redwoods Rural Health Center (101 West Coast Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Sept. 27, 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 

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Public Health (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

COVID-19 vaccination is also available at local pharmacies. To check availability of a specific vaccine, 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.

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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