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.

An additional 77 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported since Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 19,698. No new hospitalizations were reported.

California ended its statewide indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated individuals on March 1, but state and local health officials continue to strongly recommend masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

State masking guidance for schools is changing March 12. Parents with questions about how their school will implement this new guidance should contact their school or school district.

Since the last data update on Feb. 25, the county has recorded 206 new cases of COVID-19. Two deaths of residents due to COVID-19, both unvaccinated, were reported. One new hospitalization of an unvaccinated individual aged 80 or older was also reported.

Severe outcomes from COVID-19 continue to be higher among unvaccinated individuals. The graphs below depict average weekly case rates and weekly hospitalizations and deaths in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents.

As depicted in the graph above for the period from May 30, 2021 to Feb. 20, 2022, 18 deaths of fully vaccinated Humboldt County residents from COVID-19 were reported. The average age of those deaths was 79. During that same period, 59 deaths of unvaccinated residents were reported. The average age of those deaths was 68. During that same period, 74 fully vaccinated residents were hospitalized with an average age of 73. An additional 281 unvaccinated individuals were hospitalized with an average age of 59. View a more detailed depiction of the hospitalization and death rates graph here.

The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is approximately 20, meaning that for every 100,000 residents, approximately 20 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 January 2021 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.

The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending Feb. 20, is 13 per 100,000 residents for fully vaccinated and 11 per 100,000 residents for unvaccinated individuals. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here. Local data varies from state and federal data that show case rates are 2 to 5 times higher in unvaccinated individuals.

This week, the Joint Information Center (JIC) began issuing Case Count news releases and Data Dashboard updates three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The JIC Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Additional scheduling reductions are planned.

Residents, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are urged to continue to take protective measures against COVID-19 by washing hands frequently, socially distancing, wearing a well-fitted mask and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.

The California Department of Public Health continues to stress that COVID-19 vaccine is preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death and urge Californians to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. State health officials recommend that every vaccinated person 12 years or older get a booster as long as they received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago or they received their Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals should get all doses in the vaccine series, which is one more than someone who is not immunocompromised. They are also strongly recommended to get a booster three months after the third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after receiving the second dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Individuals should stay home and away from others and get tested if they become sick or experience COVID-19 symptoms that may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or muscle aches.

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.

Eureka — Friday, March 4, 1 to 8 p.m.
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Ages 5 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 recommended.

McKinleyville — Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 3p.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 recommended.

Eureka — Monday, March 7, 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, March 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     $25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
     Appointments recommended.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, March 8, 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.

Rio Dell — Wednesday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
     Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department (50 W. Center 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. 

McKinleyville — Thursday, March 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.

Eureka — Friday, March 11, 1 to 4 p.m.
     Transition Age Youth (433 M 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.

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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