News

Humboldt Bay Fire announced today that two firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19, with both “recovering well and currently isolated at home,” according to a news release.

The release states the location and cause of the positive tests are currently unknown but stations have been deep cleaned, staff is being tested and contact tracing is ongoing. HBF is also now certified to do in-house testing.

Humboldt County, like the rest of the state and nation, is currently experiencing a rapid spike in cases.

“As we battle COVID-19 in our community, we do so with the understanding of the inherent risk to our personnel as we respond to the needs of those we serve,” Fire Chief Sean Robertson said in a release. “We continue to monitor the situation with the health of our firefighters foremost in our minds.”

The release also states residents should not be deterred from contacting 911 for emergencies.

Read the Humboldt Bay Fire release below: 

Humboldt Bay Fire announces that two of our firefighters have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. We are doing everything we can to provide support to these firefighters and their families. Both are recovering well and currently isolated at home.

We recognize the seriousness of this development and are committed to doing all that we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Humboldt County. The exact location and origin of exposure remains under investigation. However, contact tracing is occurring, all on-duty personnel potentially exposed have been tested, and our stations have been professionally deep cleaned.

Serial tracing for those exposed will continue through this week, and HBF is now certified to perform in-house testing in conjunction with Humboldt County Public Health Lab.

This news should not deter the public from calling 9-1-1 for emergency assistance. Humboldt Bay Fire, law enforcement, and EMS services continue to take extensive precautions to safeguard fellow first responders and the public with whom we interact.

“As we battle COVID-19 in our community, we do so with the understanding of the inherent risk to our personnel as we respond to the needs of those we serve,” Fire Chief Sean Robertson said. “We continue to monitor the situation with the health of our firefighters foremost in our minds.”

We ask that you respect the privacy of our personnel at this time, and understand that the department will not be releasing the identity or medical condition of the affected personnel. For the latest information on COVD-19 in Humboldt, please contact the Humboldt County Joint Information Center at 707-441-5000 or [email protected].