Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident in their 70s due to COVID-19. Staff in the Department Operations Center extend their condolences to all who have lost a loved one to the virus.

One new hospitalization, a resident in their 50s, was reported. An additional 122 new cases were also reported, bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases of the virus in the county to 18,314.

California’s indoor mask mandate put in place in December is set to expire next week as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline across the state. Humboldt County will align with the state and let its local indoor mask order expire at the same time.

Individuals who are vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be required to wear face coverings indoors in most public settings after the masking mandate ends Feb. 15. Those who are unvaccinated must still wear masks indoors in public. Fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor masking in locations where the risk may be high. Based on the high rate of community transmission in counties like Humboldt, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Beginning Feb. 16, mask requirements will revert back to the previous California Department of Public Health (CDPH) face covering guidance, which continues to require masks be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in specific higher risk settings. These include indoor locations in K-12 schools, childcare and health care settings, public transportation and transit hubs, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term, adult and senior care settings. Workplaces will continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention standards set by CalOSHA.

As of Tuesday, Public Health and other local vaccinators have administered a total of 174,658 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Local vaccination data has been updated on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard. Highlights include:

• Since the last weekly report on Feb. 2, a total of 720 vaccine doses were administered, and 401 additional residents completed their vaccine series.
• Approximately 64% of the county’s total population was fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.
• A total of 87,193 residents, or more than 73% of the county’s population aged 5 and older, were fully vaccinated. Approximately 8% of the population aged 5 and older have been partially vaccinated as of this reporting period.

Residents, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are urged to continue to take protective measures against COVID-19 by washing hands frequently, wearing a well-fitted mask approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distancing six feet from others when possible and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

CDPH recommends individuals stay home and away from others and get tested if they become sick or experience COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or muscle aches and often mimic common cold or flu illnesses.

Vaccines remain readily available and, as always, Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. While walk-ins are allowed at all Public Health clinics and some pharmacy vaccination sites, appointments are recommended for all vaccinations and are the best way to ensure a shot is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

Vaccines, including boosters, are available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text your ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. Questions about clinic services can be directed to the Joint Information Center at 1-707-441-5000.

McKinleyville — Thursday, Feb. 10, 2 to 7 p.m.
     Church of the Joyful Healer (1944 Central Ave.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations recommended.

Petrolia — Friday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Mattole Valley Resource Center Family Clinic (167 Sherman St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations recommended.

Honeydew — Friday, Feb. 11, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
     Honeydew Elementary School Family Clinic (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations recommended.

Eureka — Saturday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Jefferson Center (1000 B St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 12 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments recommended.

Eureka — Tuesday, Feb. 15, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 12 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments recommended.

Eureka Pediatric Clinic — Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1:15 to 4 p.m. 
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 to 11
     Pfizer only
     No testing available
     Appointments recommended.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments for vaccinations recommended.

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 1-707-441-5000.

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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