Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident in their 70s. There were nine new hospitalizations including a resident under nine, one in their 40s, one in their 50s, two in their 70s and four aged 80 and older. 

An additional 98 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were announced as well as 89 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, Nov. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 6. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 22,733. An additional 5,582 cases are reported as probable.*  

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

• Since the last weekly report on Nov. 30, an additional 43 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 91,947 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 five 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 Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. 

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 ensure a safe and healthy holiday season is to get a bivalent booster. The new bivalents reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with the Omicron variants and also reduce the chances of hospitalization and death should one become infected. Because boosters can take up to two weeks after vaccination for full protection, residents planning to attend holiday get-togethers should get a booster now. 

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.

Fortuna — Thursday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Fortuna Veterans Hall (1426 Main St.)

Eureka — Friday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way) 

Arcata — Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     St. Mary’s Church (1690 Janes Road)

Eureka — Monday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
     Public Health Main (529 I St.)

Eureka — Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
     Lincoln Educational Center (216 W. Harris St.)

Eureka — Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Humboldt County Agricultural Building (5630 South Broadway)

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Willow Creek Public Health (77 Walnut Way)

Rio Dell — Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Rio Dell Fire Department (50 Center St.)

* “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
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19

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