From the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today one new hospitalization of a resident in their 70s. An additional 103 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were announced as well as 37 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Tuesday, Dec. 20. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 22,954. An additional 5,658 cases are reported as probable.*  

Bivalent boosters are now available for children 6 months and older following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent doses. 

To learn more or to book an appointment, talk to your child’s health care provider. Scheduling bivalent boosters for those 6 months through 5 years old will be posted at MyTurn.ca.gov soon. If you’re unable to schedule through your health care provider, you can attend Public Health Main’s Tuesday clinic (see schedule below). 

Local COVID-19 vaccination data has been updated for this week:

• Since the last weekly report on Dec. 14, an additional 54 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 92,045 individuals, or approximately 68% of the county’s total population, have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.

OptumServe continues to offer rapid antigen testing and PCR testing services at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka six 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 by calling 888-634-1123. Wharfinger testing runs Sunday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. The Wharfinger will be closed Sunday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Dec. 26, for the holidays.

Additionally, flu testing is now available at the OptumServe COVID-19 sites at the Wharfinger, as well as McKinleyville, Trinidad and Arcata. For a list of OptumServe COVID-19 and flu testing locations and schedules, visit humboldtgov.org/testregistration. 

Public Health is reminding residents that one of the best ways to stay a safe and healthy is to get a bivalent booster. The bivalents reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with the Omicron variants and also reduce the chances of hospitalization and death should one become infected. 

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. Bivalent boosters will be provided at all. Please note: several regularly scheduled clinics are canceled during the holidays. 

Arcata — Thursday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.       Arcata Transit Facility (925 E St.)

Eureka — Tuesday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)      Public Health Main (529 I St.)

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)      Willow Creek Public Health (77 Walnut Way)

* “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.

For information about COVID-19, please call Humboldt County Public Health  at 707-445-6201, or email HHSPHB@co.humboldt.ca.us. 

For local updates, visit Humboldt Health Alert at humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert.

Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov

Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo

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