Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident aged 80 or older from COVID-19. Five new hospitalizations were reported, a resident in their 50s and four aged 80 or older. 

An additional 265 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were reported as well as 119 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, May 17, and Tuesday, May 24. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 18,343. An additional 3,423 cases are reported as probable.* 

Local vaccination data has been updated on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Highlights include:

• Since the last weekly report on May 18, an additional 109 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 90,213 individuals, or approximately 66% of the county’s total population, have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.

Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 5 to 11 years of age are now available at all Public Health vaccination clinics. Five months must have elapsed since completion of their primary series. The smaller booster doses for that age group were approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.

OptumServe continues to offer rapid antigen testing and PCR testing services at the Wharfinger site. PCR tests are available only on a walk-in basis and must be specifically requested from the attendee. Walk-in attendees should receive only rapid antigen testing unless the attendee specifically states they require a PCR test. Appointments for antigen testing can be made at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123.

Vaccines remain readily available throughout Humboldt County and, as always, Humboldt’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics and some pharmacy vaccination sites. Appointments can also be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.

Second booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna are available at all Humboldt County Public Health vaccine clinics for those 50 and older, as well as certain immunocompromised individuals, as long as it has been four months since their first booster shot. Those interested in a second booster can also check with pharmacies about availability. 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.

As part of the federal government’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, the nationwide Test to Treat Initiative was launched, with one Humboldt location at the Wharfinger Building. At Test to Treat locations, people are tested for COVID-19 and if a person tests positive, is 12 or older and treatments are deemed appropriate for them, Paxlovid antiviral medication will be administered at no charge. A registered nurse is onsite with a Telehealth link to a medical doctor in order to dispense medication, should the patient choose.

Please note: Public Health vaccine clinics will not be available on Monday, May 30, due to the Memorial Day holiday, and OptumServe’s Wharfinger site will be closed that day, as well.

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 Public Health at 707-445-6201.

Blue Lake — Thursday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Walk-ins are welcome.

Eureka — Friday, May 27, 1 to 8 p.m. 
     Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Walk-ins are welcome.

Willow Creek — Tuesday, May 31, 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
     Walk-ins are welcome.

Fortuna — Wednesday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Fortuna Veterans Hall (1426 Main St.)
     Ages 5 and older
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
     Walk-ins are welcome.

* “Confirmed cases” represent the total confirmed positive PCR tests 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 by a health care provider with COVID-19 disease, 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.

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/3246
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert