Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today 72 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 11,805 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus. Two new hospitalizations, a resident in their 50s and one in their 70s, were also reported.

As part of its ongoing monitoring, a small number of samples of positive COVID-19 cases from primarily health care staff tested this week by the Humboldt County Public Health Lab suggest that the Omicron variant is increasing in the community. Additional samples from the state have confirmed cases of Omicron from late December and early January.

As the pandemic continues, health officials say to pay attention to hospitalizations more than positive cases, adding that vaccination and boosters provide an increased level of protection from Omicron, Delta and other variants and those individuals who are fully vaccinated or boosted typically develop milder symptoms, shorter illness, and less severe illness with fewer hospitalizations. Locally, hospitalizations continue to be 17 times higher in unvaccinated individuals.

Public Health officials continue to stress that residents, especially those who are unvaccinated, continue to protect themselves and their families from all COVID-19 variants by following mask requirements in public settings, socially distancing and getting vaccinated or boosted when eligible to do so.

Since the last data update on Dec. 30, the county has recorded 853 new cases of COVID-19. Two deaths were reported during that period, both unvaccinated. Seven new hospitalizations of residents were also reported. Six were unvaccinated and one was vaccinated. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:

• 1 person in their 50s
• 2 people in their 60s
• 1 person in their 70s
• 3 people aged 80 or older

The graphs below — which depict average weekly case rates, hospitalization and death rates in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents — show that more severe outcomes from COVID-19 are higher among unvaccinated individuals.

Since June 5, 16 fully vaccinated Humboldt County resident have died from COVID-19. The average age of those deaths was 79. During that same period, 47 unvaccinated residents have died from the virus. The average age of those deaths was 66. During that same time, 55 fully vaccinated residents were hospitalized with an average age of 74. As well, 236 unvaccinated individuals were hospitalized with an average age of 57.

With data starting on June 5, the graph above illustrates the county’s weekly hospitalization rate for vaccinated individuals is currently is 0.1 per 100,000 while the rate for unvaccinated individuals is 17 times higher at 1.7 per 100,000. View a more detailed depiction of the hospitalization and death rates graph.

The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is approximately 48, meaning for every 100,000 residents, approximately 48 tested positive daily over the last seven days. Case rates vary considerably by vaccination status, as illustrated in the graph below, which depicts average weekly case rates since February 2021 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.

The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending Dec. 26, for fully vaccinated individuals is 63 per 100,000 residents, while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 37 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.

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 — Friday, Jan. 7, 1 to 8 p.m.
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     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.

Eureka Family Clinic — Saturday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Jefferson Community Center (1000 B St.)
     Ages 5-18 and family members. No boosters
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Monday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments required.

Eureka — Tuesday, Jan. 11, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 16 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, Jan. 11, 1:15 to 3:45 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 to 11
     Pfizer only
     No testing available
     Appointments required.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments strongly recommended.

Fortuna — Wednesday, Jan. 12, noon to 6 p.m.
     Fortuna River Lodge (1800 Riverwalk Drive)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe by appointment only at the Fortuna River Lodge.
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Eureka — Thursday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods Gym Lobby (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Petrolia — Friday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     Mattole Valley Resource Center (167 Sherman St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available 
     Appointments for vaccinations strongly recommended.

Honeydew — Friday, Jan. 14, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
     Honeydew Elementary School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     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.

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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