Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident in their 70s. Three new hospitalizations were also reported including a resident in their 60s, one in their 70s and one aged 80 or older.

An additional 132 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were announced as well as 84 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, Aug. 23, and Tuesday, Aug. 30. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 21,482. An additional 5,003 cases are reported as probable.* 

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Novavax is now available at all Public Health clinics for anyone 12 and older who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine. 

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. When the Novavax vaccine is injected, the protein stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and T-cell immune responses without being able to cause disease, since it is only a piece of the virus.

Protein-based technology has long been used in vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV) as well as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) as part of the childhood vaccine series. Novavax requires two doses, administered 21 days apart. 

Today the FDA authorized updated booster vaccines targeting Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The BA.5 variant of Omicron is now the dominant COVID-19 virus in the U.S. and a Pfizer booster is expected to be available for people 12 and older as well as a Moderna booster for those 18 and up. According to the FDA, both BA.4 and BA.5 will circulate through the fall and winter.

The boosters still require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation, which is expected Thursday. Following this, state distribution will need approval from the California Department of Public Health. When available locally, the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services will announce upcoming clinics. 

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

• Since the last weekly report on Aug. 24, an additional 90 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 91,365 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 vaccination and testing services are free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics and some pharmacy vaccination sites. However, vaccines for young children ages 6 months to 5 years old requires preregistration. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov. Questions about clinic services can be directed to Public Health at 707-445-6201.

OptumServe offers rapid antigen testing and PCR testing services at the Wharfinger Building seven days a week. Walk-ins 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. Please note that the Wharfinger testing site will be closed and no clinics are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day.

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. 

Eureka— Thursday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
     Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center (133 Seventh St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Petrolia— Friday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Mattole Valley Resource Center (167 Sherman St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Honeydew— Friday, Sept. 2, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
     Honeydew Elementary (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Eureka— Saturday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov)

Monday, Sept. 5, no vaccine or testing clinics in observation of Labor Day. 

Eureka— Tuesday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     Eureka Boat Launch (under the Samoa Bridge, 1701 Watterfront Drive)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna/Novavax
     Moderna for 6 months and older (appointments required at MyTurn.ca.gov) 

Blue Lake— Tuesday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
     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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