Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident in their 70s as well as one aged 80 or older. Five new hospitalizations including four residents in their 70s and one aged 80 or older were also reported. 

An additional 119 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were announced as well as 62 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, July 26, and Tuesday, Aug. 2. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 20,732. An additional 4,535 cases are reported as probable.* 

Starting Monday, Aug. 8, Public Health will have the newly approved Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available at all clinics on a walk-in basis for individuals aged 18 and older. 

Novavax differs from the existing Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines in that it uses traditional protein-based technology. While the mRNA vaccines trick the body’s cells into creating parts of the virus in order to trigger the immune system, the Novavax vaccine contains a spike protein of the coronavirus, but formulated as a harmless nanoparticle unable to cause disease. When the Novavax vaccine is injected, the protein stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cell immune responses. 

Protein-based technology has long been used in vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV) as well as tetanus or diphtheria toxoid (DPT) as part of the childhood vaccine series. Additionally, the Novavax vaccine can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Novavax requires two doses, administered 21 days apart. Both the mRNA and Novavax’s protein-based technology methods are safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. Novavax was approved for adults by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month. The company is currently pursuing approval of its vaccines for adolescents 12 and older. 

Local vaccination data has been updated on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Highlights include:

• Since the last weekly report on July 27, an additional 175 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 91,046 individuals, or approximately 67% of the county’s total population, have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.

Vaccines remain readily available throughout Humboldt County and, as always, Humboldt’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics and some pharmacy vaccination sites. Appointments can also be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

OptumServe offers rapid antigen testing and PCR testing services at the Wharfinger Building. Walk-in attendees will receive only rapid antigen testing unless the attendee specifically states they require a PCR test. Appointments for antigen testing can be made at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Wharfinger testing runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. 

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. New clinics have been added for young children 6 months to 5 years old at many vaccination locations. Appointments for the young child clinics are required and can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov. Questions about clinic services can be directed to Public Health at 707-445-6201.

Eureka — Thursday, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     Betty Chinn Day Center (133 Seventh St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Petrolia — Friday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     Mattole Valley Resource Center (167 Sherman St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Honeydew — Friday, Aug. 5, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
     Honeydew Elementary School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Eureka – Saturday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Eureka — Monday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
     Public Health Main (529 I St.)
     Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Arcata— Tuesday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     Arcata D Street Neighborhood Center (1301 D St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     Willow Creek Public Health (77 Walnut Way)
     Ages 5 and older
     Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Eureka— Wednesday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
     Ag Building (5630 South Broadway)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

* “Confirmed cases” represent the total confirmed positive PCR test results or detection of SARS-CoV-2 by genomic sequencing, and “probable cases” are individuals who:

• Have a positive antigen (Ag) test for COVID-19, or
• Were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease by a health care provider, or
• Have symptoms of COVID-19 disease after being in close contact with a person having a PCR-confirmed test result, or
• Were a decedent whose death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause or significant contributing factor of their death, in the absence of a positive PCR test result. 

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/3246
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert

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