ress release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Twenty-nine new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Humboldt County today. The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 7,337.

Three new hospitalizations also were reported today, including two people in their 50s and one child under the age of 10 who is not yet old enough for vaccination.

Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira said it is vitally important that local residents follow safety measures and get vaccinated to protect those who can’t. “Keeping our kids safe takes every single one of us,” she said. “Wear a mask, avoid gatherings and get vaccinated now. These tools give us the best chance to keep kids healthy and learning in school.”

Given the county’s extremely high case rate of 39.9 per 100,000 residents, Pereira emphasized the need to avoid or cancel gatherings, especially this Labor Day weekend when friends and family often come together to celebrate. For those who choose to host or attend a gathering or event, the COVID FAQs page (humboldtgov.org/COVIDFAQs) includes information on best practices to reduce transmission of the virus in group settings.

The graphs below — which depict average weekly case rates, hospitalization and death rates in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents — show that severe outcomes from COVID-19 are considerably higher among unvaccinated individuals. 

Since the first confirmed breakthrough case in February, one fully vaccinated Humboldt County resident has died from COVID-19. During that same period, 45 unvaccinated residents have died from the virus. In that time, 31 fully vaccinated residents have been hospitalized compared to 197 unvaccinated residents.     

As the graph above illustrates, the county’s hospitalization rate for vaccinated residents is 34 per 100,000 while the rate for unvaccinated residents is nearly four times higher at 119 per 100,000.

The rate of unvaccinated hospitalizations starts at 18, drops to two in March, climbs to 14 in April and 17 in May, then climbs steeply starting in July, and now sits at a rate of 118 unvaccinated hospitalizations per 100,000 residents as of August 28. The rate of fully vaccinated hospitalizations stays at zero from February through June, then climbs to ten in July, and stands at a rate of 34 vaccinated hospitalizations as of August 28.

The mortality rate for unvaccinated residents was 1 per 100,000 residents in February, three in March, four in June, then climbs starting in July, landing at a rate of 32 unvaccinated deaths per 100,000 residents in August. There were no fully vaccinated deaths until August, when one person died.

The local case rate for unvaccinated people continues to climb, reaching 84 residents per 100,000 while the case rate for fully vaccinated individuals has declined for a third consecutive week to about 12 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the hospitalization and death rates graph and the case rate graph.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at Public Health clinics located around the county. Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. For instructions in English or Spanish about how to use My Turn, go to humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo.

See the schedule of upcoming Public Health clinics below: 

Eureka – Saturday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Fields Landing – Tuesday, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.
     Fields Landing Boat Launch (End of Railroad Ave.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Arcata – Thursday, Sept. 9, from noon to 2 p.m.
     Arcata Transit Center (925 E St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Trinidad – Thursday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m.
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Garberville – Friday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Garberville Farmers’ Market (766 Locust St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

To check availability of a particular vaccine 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 Humboldt County COVID-19 Joint Information Center will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of Labor Day. OptumServe’s COVID-19 testing sites in Eureka and McKinleyville will also be closed Monday.

All datasets, including weekly and monthly, on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard have been updated. 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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