Humboldt County Public Health today reported 45 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus to 10,952. Three new hospitalizations, one person aged 70 and two aged 80 or older, were also reported.
Since the last data update on December 17, the county has registered 383 new cases of COVID-19. Two deaths have been reported during this period, both unvaccinated. Twelve new hospitalizations of residents were also reported. Eleven were not vaccinated and one was vaccinated. The age ranges of reported hospitalizations are as follows:
- 4 people in their forties
- 2 people in their fifties
- 2 people in their sixties
- 2 people aged 70
- 2 people aged 80 or over
The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is around 15, which means that per 100,000 people, around 15 have tested positive daily in the past seven days. Case rates vary widely by vaccination status, as illustrated in the graph below, which represents the average weekly case rates since February 2021 among unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.
The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending December 19 for fully vaccinated people is 16 per 100,000 population, while the case rate for unvaccinated people is 20 per 100,000 population . See a more detailed description of the case rate graph here.
Public Health continues to urge residents to get vaccinated and get vaccinated to protect themselves from the Delta and Omicron variants. People aged 5 and over are eligible to be vaccinated and anyone aged 16 and over is encouraged by public health to receive a booster if it has been six months or more since the end of their initial vaccination series.
Health officials continue to stress that vaccination and booster shots can reduce the impacts of the highly transmissible variant of Omicron, including hospitalizations and deaths. Currently, samples from people who test positive for COVID-19 locally are being sent to the state for genome sequencing if travel to areas affected by the Omicron variant is reported. To date, Humboldt County has received the results of sequencing two samples, both with the Delta variant. However, the Omicron variant has been confirmed nationwide, and the incidence of the variant is expected to increase in the coming weeks after the holiday gatherings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone who is sick or unvaccinated and who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 refrain from travel. It is recommended that all travelers monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-isolate and get tested if they develop symptoms after travel.
The OptumServe test sites in Eureka and Arcata will operate with reduced hours this weekend for the New Year’s holidays. The Wharfinger construction site in Eureka will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, December 31 and closed. on Saturday January 1st. It will reopen at regular hours from 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 2. The OptumServe mobile test The Arcata site will be open on Friday December 31 from 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments are required and can be made at lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Processing times for test results via OptumServe average two to three days.
The Joint COVID-19 Information Center (1-707-441-5000) will also be closed on Friday for the holiday. English-speaking and Spanish-speaking telephone operators will resume normal activities on Monday to answer questions related to COVID-19 vaccination, testing and preventive measures. Questions emailed to covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us during the holidays will also be answered on Monday.
Humboldt County vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Although walk-in visits are permitted at most public health clinics and many pharmacy vaccination sites, an increase in demand for recalls has resulted in delays in some locations. Therefore, appointments are required for pediatric clinics and for the main office of Public Health clinics. Appointments are highly recommended for all other clinics and are the best way to ensure that an injection is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.
Vaccines, including boosters, are available at local pharmacies. To check availability of a specific vaccine, visit vaccines.gov or text postcode to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.
Consult the calendar below for the dates, times, locations and services available for vaccination and public health screening clinics:
Eureka – Monday January 3 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
Main Office of Public Health (529 I St.)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson / Moderna
No test available
$ 25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointment required.
Eurêka – Tuesday, January 4, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Main Office of Public Health (529 I St.)
16 years and over
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson / Moderna
No test available
$ 25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointment required.
Eureka Pediatrics – Tuesday, January 4, 1:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Main Office of Public Health (529 I St.)
5 to 11 years old
Pfizer only
No test available
Appointment required.
Willow Creek – Tuesday, January 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed noon to 1 p.m.
Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson / Moderna
PCR and rapid tests available
$ 25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointment strongly recommended.
Trinidad – Thursday, January 6, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Trinidad Town Hall (409 Trinity Street)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson / Moderna
PCR and rapid tests available
Appointment strongly recommended.
Visit the online data dashboard at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous period. For the most recent information on COVID-19, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or by calling 1-707-441-5000.
Register for the COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check the availability of vaccines 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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