News

Humboldt County Public Health is working with staff and management at the Fortuna Rehabilitation and Wellness Center to respond to a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.

According to a news release, 12 people have tested positive for the virus, which includes both residents and staff, but no one has been hospitalized as of today.

“We're always concerned when our seniors and medically vulnerable members of the community are at risk," said Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira.

Visitations are being restricted at the long-term care facility to slow the virus' spread and screenings for employees have been increased, the release states.


More information is expected to be available next week.

Read the Public Health release below:

The Humboldt County Public Health Branch is assisting staff and management at Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. Public Health visited the long-term care facility Wednesday following concerns about possible infections.

To date, 12 people have tested positive for the virus, which includes both residents and staff.

“We're always concerned when our seniors and medically vulnerable members of the community are at risk," said Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira.

As of now, no residents have been hospitalized.

Pereira said staff were in consultation with the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections Program and are working with the facility to provide infection prevention education and guidance, as well as assisting with acquiring any state resources that may be available.

Public Health’s Outbreak Response Team has visited Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center twice so far to provide testing and offer infection prevention recommendations, and will continue to work with facility management to test residents every two to three days.

According to the facility management, Fortuna Rehab has stepped up screening of all employees for COVID-19 symptoms, adding that visits are currently restricted to slow the spread of illness. Public Health staff will provide support as needed through the weekend.  Additional information will be available next week.

For the most recent COVID-19 information,  visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov Local information is available at humboldtgov.org.