News

Humboldt County Public Health reported seven new COVID-19 cases today, making 66 this week, and one new hospitalization.

The cases were confirmed after laboratories processed 238 samples with a test-positivity rate of 2.9 percent.

According to a state database, five people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 locally, including three under intensive care.

Tuesday, the county Joint Information Center noted that of those who have fallen critically ill or died in Humboldt County, none was vaccinated.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 192 people have been hospitalized and 46 local residents have died," a press release stated. "None of them were vaccinated."

Public Health also reported Wednesday that 48.6 percent of Humboldt County residents age 12 and older have now been fully vaccinated, and that 58.3 percent of eligible residents have received at least one dose.

In a press conference Wednesday, Health Officer Ian Hoffman noted that two COVID-19 variants — B.1.1.7 and P1 — are now the predominant strains of the virus locally.

Public Health is continuing to urge residents to get vaccinated, with clinics scheduled this week at College of the Redwoods in Eureka on Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.  Although walk-ins are welcome at Public Health clinics, appointments are highly encouraged. To make an appointment at a clinic or pharmacy, and to request help with transportation, visit www.vaccines.gov or www.myturn.ca.gov.

When the state updated its COVID-19 risk tiers for the last time Tuesday, it kept Humboldt County in its orange "moderate" tier, allowing local businesses to operate as they have since April until the state eases most restrictions June 15. According to the state's data, Humboldt County recorded 5.1 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and had a test-positivity rate of 3.6 percent over the seven-day period. Humboldt's numbers dwarf those of the state as a whole, which recorded 2 new COVID-19 case per 100,000 residents and a test-positivity rate of 0.8 percent.

 To date, Humboldt County has confirmed 4,4158 cases, with 195 hospitalizations and 46 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths.

The county dashboard lists 4,267 people as having "recovered" from the virus locally, though that just means they are no longer contagious and does not account for long-term health impacts, which local healthcare workers have told the Journal can be substantial, even in previously healthy patients.

The county’s test positivity rate has gone from 3.6 percent in November, to 7.3 percent in December and 9.9 percent in January, before dropping to 6.5 percent in February. In March, it dropped to 4.5 percent before inching back up to 5.9 percent in April. In May, it jumped to 8.3 percent.

Nationwide, more than 33.2 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with 596,575 related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In California, more than 3.6 million cases have been confirmed with 62,593 deaths, according to the Department of Public Health.

Meanwhile, the county's Joint Information Center is urging locals to get tested, calling it "one of the most helpful things county residents can do for the community at large," because it allows Public Health to catch cases early and limit spread. The state-run OptumServe testing site at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka is open seven days a week and no-cost appointments can be made by clicking here or calling (888) 634-1123 and other newly opened screening site information can be found here. 

The Humboldt County Data Dashboard includes hospitalization rates by age group, death rates by age group and case totals by ZIP code, the latter of which are reported in "a range of 0 to 5 for case count until the area surpasses 5 total cases," according to the county. After that threshold has been reached in a ZIP code, the exact number will be included.

Basics of COVID-19

The California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, state that symptoms of novel coronavirus include cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell.

Emergency warning signs needing immediate medical attention include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to awaken, and bluish lips or face.

In an emergency situation:

Call ahead to the emergency room or inform the 911 operator of the possibility of a COVID-19 infection and, if possible, put on a face mask.

Symptoms or possible exposure:

In the case of a possible exposure with symptoms — fever and cough or shortness of breath — contact your doctor’s office or the county Department of Health and Human Services, which has a hotline that can be reached during business hours at [email protected] or at (707) 441-5000. Residents seeking medical advice or questions about testing are asked to contact Public Health at [email protected] or at (707) 445-6200.

St. Joseph Health has also set up a virtual assessment tool as an aid to assessing risk factors for contracting the illness, which can be found here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has started a rumor-control webpage that can be found here. For the Journal's latest COVID stories, updates and information resources, click here.

Read the county release below:

June 11, 2021 - 7 New Cases Reported Today; Workplace Masking to Remain in Effect after June 15

707-441-5000 ; [email protected] ; Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm Opens in new window
Seven new cases of COVID-19 and one hospitalization were reported today in Humboldt County. The total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus stands at 4,415.

The person who was hospitalized is in their 50s. A total of 195 people have been hospitalized in Humboldt County since the beginning of the pandemic. None of them were vaccinated.

As vaccination rates rise throughout the state, California is preparing to end the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on June 15. At this time, employees and customers in all businesses must continue to mask and socially distance regardless of vaccination status.

On June 9, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) withdrew its proposed revisions to facial covering guidance for the workplace. Currently, workplace regulations adopted in November of 2020 remain in effect. However, Cal/OSHA stated it plans to present new revisions as early as June 17.

“Getting more people vaccinated will bring us closer to ending this pandemic,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a recent news conference. Vaccinations are readily available in Humboldt County, through Public Health vaccination clinics, health care providers and participating pharmacies.

A family vaccination clinic is planned for Sunday, June 13, in partnership with the True North Organizing Network. Spanish-speaking staff will be on hand to assist community members as they go through the vaccination process. Walk-ins are welcome at this and all Public Health clinics, or people may schedule in advance through MyTurn.ca.gov. See below for details.

Eureka – Sunday, June 13 – 2 to 5 p.m.

College of the Redwoods Gym (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people age 12 and older, and the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for people 18 and older. A parent or guardian must accompany minor children to the clinic. Minor consent forms are available online in English and Spanish and may be printed and filled out for each minor child before coming to the clinic.

Español: humboldtgov.org/MinorConsentEspanol

English: humboldtgov.org/MinorConsentEnglish

COVID-19 vaccine is also available at many local pharmacies. Check availability at vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.

The Humboldt County Joint Information Center will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 14, as it moves to a new location. Please call 707-441-5000 after 1 p.m. for COVID-19 information.

View the Humboldt County Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download today’s data.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting [email protected] or calling 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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