Humboldt County Public Health reported today a new hospitalization of a resident aged 80 or older due to COVID-19. An additional 104 new positive cases of COVID-19 were also reported since Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 19,596. No new deaths were reported and today marks the lowest number of new positive cases reported on a Monday since Dec. 20, at the beginning of the surge of the Omicron variant.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that the statewide indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated individuals ends after 11:59 p.m. Feb. 28, but health officials will continue to strongly recommend masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
California is set to end its universal masking requirements in K-12 and childcare settings at 11:59 p.m. on March 11. State health officials said they will continue to strongly recommend masks be worn in schools and to promote masks and testing for children after the mandate is lifted. Masking will still be required in high-risk settings under the state health officer order, such as areas of public transit, health care, long-term care facilities, jails and prisons.
Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira said, “We know masking reduces the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the state. We join the state in strongly recommending wearing a mask indoors, regardless of your vaccination status.”
Beginning today, the Joint Information Center (JIC) will issue Case Count news releases and Data Dashboard updates three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Also starting today, the JIC Call Center will be open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. and closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Additional scheduling reductions are planned.
Residents, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are urged to continue to take protective measures against COVID-19 by washing hands frequently, socially distancing, wearing a well-fitted mask and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
CDPH continues to stress that COVID-19 vaccine is preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death and urge Californians to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. State health officials recommend that every vaccinated person 12 years or older get a booster as long as they received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago or they received their Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
Moderately to severely immunocompromised persons should get all doses in the vaccine series which is one more than someone who is not immunocompromised. They are also strongly recommended to get a booster three months after the third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after receiving the second dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Individuals should stay home and away from others and get tested if they become sick or experience COVID-19 symptoms that may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or muscle aches.
Vaccines remain readily available and, as always, Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. While walk-ins are allowed at all Public Health clinics and some pharmacy vaccination sites, appointments are recommended for all vaccinations and are the best way to ensure a shot is available during your visit. Appointments can be made at MyTurn.ca.gov.
Vaccines, including boosters, are available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text your ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.
See the schedule below for specific Public Health vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services. Questions about clinic services can be directed to the Joint Information Center at 1-707-441-5000.
Eureka — Tuesday, March 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
No testing available
$25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointments recommended.
Willow Creek — Tuesday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
$25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
Eureka — Wednesday, March 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Humboldt County Agriculture Building (5630 S. Broadway)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
Blue Lake — Thursday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
Eureka — Friday, March 4, 1 to 8 p.m.
Wharfinger Building (1 Marina Way)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
No rapid testing available at this clinic. PCR testing offered through OptumServe by appointment on the lower floor of the Wharfinger Building.
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
McKinleyville — Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 3p.m.
McKinleyville High School (1300 Murray Road)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
Eureka — Monday, March 7, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
Ages 12 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
No testing available
$25 gift card for adults receiving a first or second dose
Appointments recommended.
View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time. For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 1-707-441-5000.
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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