From the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today two new hospitalizations due to COVID-19, two residents in their 60s. An additional 412 new cases were also reported, bringing to 16,212 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. No new deaths were reported.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that the monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 by pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Regeneron are no longer authorized for use in the U.S. because data show the treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the Omicron variant.

Monoclonal antibody treatments are laboratory-made proteins that mimic a person’s immune system’s ability to fight harmful pathogens like the COVID-19 virus and do not continue to work well as viruses mutate, according to the FDA. Future use may resume if new variants are found to be susceptible to these treatments as has occurred in the past.

Other therapeutic treatments, including Paxlovid and Sotrovimab, and the less effective Molnupiravir, are in short supply nationally, and local health officials said there are limited doses in Humboldt County. When the next shipment of therapeutics will arrive has not been confirmed. Local medical providers are working on ways to ensure this limited supply gets to the highest risk patients as has been recommended by the National Institutes of Health guidelines.

As the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant is circulating widely in the community and pushing record-high cases locally, Public Health officials are reminding residents, particularly those who are not vaccinated, to reduce their risk of catching and spreading the virus. Residents are encouraged to wear a well-fitted mask approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in all indoor public spaces, distance six feet from others when possible and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

While vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are both at high risk to get Omicron, officials say the risk of hospitalization and death for those who are unvaccinated remains significantly higher. Local data shows that unvaccinated adults in Humboldt County are 13 times more likely to be hospitalized than those adults who are fully vaccinated.

Everyone aged 5 and older is urged to get vaccinated and all eligible individuals aged 12 and older are recommended to get a booster. Fully vaccinated or boosted individuals typically develop milder symptoms, experience shorter illness duration and have fewer hospitalizations and less severe outcomes. Boosters for those who are eligible reduce the risk of hospitalization even more than being fully vaccinated. As always, Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Although walk-ins are allowed at most regular Public Health clinics and many pharmacy vaccination sites, an increase in demand for boosters has caused delays at some locations. As a result, appointments are required for pediatric clinics and for clinics at Public Health’s main office. Appointments are strongly recommended for all other clinics 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.

Eureka — Wednesday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Marshall Resource Center (2100 J St.) Ages 12 and older Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/ModernaPCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Trinidad — Thursday, Jan. 27, 2 to 7 p.m. Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.) Ages 5 and older Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Friday, Jan. 28, 1 to 8 p.m. Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way) Ages 12 and older Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna. No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe by appointment on the lower floor of the Wharfinger Building. Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

McKinleyville Family Clinic— Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. McKinleyville High School (1300 Murray Road) Ages 5 and older Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna. PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Jan. 31, 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 required.

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

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m. Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way) Ages 12 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 strongly 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.