Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Four hospitalizations have been reported in Humboldt County today, including a person in their 40s, one in their 60s and two over the age of 80. No deaths were reported. Forty new cases of COVID-19 were also reported, bringing the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus to 8,501.

As of Tuesday, Humboldt County Public Health and other local vaccinators have administered a total of 153,957 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Since the last weekly report on Sept. 22, an additional 909 residents have been fully vaccinated, bringing the number of fully vaccinated residents to 76,730, or slightly more than 56% of the county’s total population and nearly 65% of the vaccine-eligible population age 12 and older. Nearly 72% of the vaccine-eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) extended the vaccination mandate for health care workers to include those who work in adult and senior care facilities, regional centers, hospice, in-home direct-care settings and in-home supportive services. CDPH designates these settings as high risk because COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks can have severe consequences for vulnerable populations. Workers have until Nov. 30 to complete their vaccination series. To read the health order, visit cdph.ca.gov.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is now available locally at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka for treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk of disease progression. The treatment involves infusion of the drugs casirivimab and imdevimab, also known as Regeneron or Regen-COV. Residents may contact their health care providers for information or reach out to Providence St. Joseph Hospital at 707-445-8121.

To limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community, public health officials continue to urge residents, particularly unvaccinated individuals, 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 for COVID-19 is available through OptumServe seven days a week in Eureka at the Wharfinger Building and at mobile testing sites throughout the county Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is recommended. For information or to make an appointment, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. OptumServe reports that recent delays on test results have been resolved and estimates current turnaround time at two to three days.

Rapid testing and PCR testing are available at Public Health mobile vaccine clinics, where residents have the option of getting tested, vaccinated or both. Combo clinics will be held this week in McKinleyville, Trinidad, Garberville and Arcata. As always, testing and vaccination services are free of charge. 

Appointments for Public Health vaccination clinics are not required but are strongly 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:

McKinleyville — Thursday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Dollar General (1180 Murray Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Trinidad — Thursday, Sept. 30, 4 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Garberville — Friday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Garberville Farmers’ Market (Garberville Town Square)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Arcata — Saturday, Oct. 2, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Arcata Farmers’ Market (Arcata Plaza/808 G St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Oct. 4, 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
     Testing NOT available

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Oct. 5, 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

Garberville — Wednesday, Oct. 6, 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 vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a pharmacy offering vaccines nearby.

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
###