Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Humboldt County Public Health reported today three new hospitalizations including one resident in their 60s, one in their 70s and one aged 80 and older. No new deaths were reported. 

An additional 79 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were announced as well as 19 new probable cases for the period between Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Tuesday, Nov. 8. The total number of confirmed cases in the county stands at 22,390. An additional 5,368 cases are reported as probable.* 

Public Health is reminding residents that one of the best ways to ensure a safe and healthy holiday season is to get a bivalent booster. The new bivalents reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with the Omicron variants and also reduce the chances of hospitalization and death should one become infected. Because boosters can take up to two weeks after vaccination for full protection, residents planning to attend holiday get-togethers should get a booster now. 

The bivalent boosters are available to anyone aged 5 years and older and available at all Public Health clinics throughout the county. Appointments for childhood vaccinations are required and can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov. All bivalent boosters are single-dose and include components of the original virus strain and the Omicron subvariants. People can receive the updated booster regardless of previous booster doses received.

Public Health is also recommending that people get this year’s flu vaccine, which can be administered along with COVID-19 vaccines. Influenza cases are rising sharply this season. Anyone 6 months and older can get the flu vaccine and it’s updated for this season’s strains. According to the California Department of Public Health, it’s perfectly safe to get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID vaccine or booster. Public Health Main at 529 I St., Eureka offers both the flu and COVID vaccines on a walk-in basis Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Local COVID-19 vaccination data has been updated:

• Since the last weekly report on Nov. 2, an additional 48 residents completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 92,192 individuals, or approximately 68% of the county’s total population, have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday.

OptumServe offers rapid antigen testing and PCR testing services at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka seven days a week. Walk-ins will receive only rapid antigen testing unless the attendee specifically states they require a PCR test. Appointments for antigen testing can be made by calling 888-634-1123. Wharfinger testing runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 to 5 p.m. Please note: Both the Wharfinger site and D Street Neighborhood Center will be closed on Friday in honor of Veterans Day.  

See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. 

Fortuna — Thursday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Fortuna Veterans Hall (1426 Main St.)

Redway — Friday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Healy Senior Center (456 Briceland Road)

Eureka — Saturday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Jefferson Community Center (1000 B St.)

Eureka — Monday, Nov. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
     Public Health Main (529 I St.)

Eureka — Tuesday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Rio Dell Fire Department (50 Center St.)

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
     Willow Creek Public Health (77 Walnut Way)

McKinleyville — Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. 
     The Center at McKinleyville (1615 Heartwood Drive)

Arcata — Thursday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
     D Street Neighborhood Center (1301 D St.)

Trinidad — Thursday, Nov. 17, 2 to 4:30 p.m. 
     Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity St.)

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

For information about COVID-19, please call Humboldt County Public Health 
at 1-707-445-6201, or email HHSPHB@co.humboldt.ca.us. 
For local updates, visit Humboldt Health Alert at humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert.
Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19

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