Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:
Humboldt County Public Health reported today the death of a resident in their 60s due to COVID-19. Staff in the Department Operations Center extend their condolences to all who have lost a loved one to the virus.
Three new hospitalizations, two residents in their 60s, and another in their 70s, were reported. An additional 142 new cases were also reported, bringing to 17,864 the total number of confirmed positive cases of the virus locally.
Daily reported positive cases of COVID-19 have continued to fall below the peak of record-high numbers in January, but health officials caution that community transmission of the virus and confirmed cases remain high and an increase in hospitalizations tend to lag a few weeks after the peak.
Residents, including those who are unvaccinated, are encouraged to continue to take protective measures against COVID by washing hands frequently, wearing a well-fitted mask approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distancing six feet from others when possible and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. The state remains under a mandatory mask order in all indoor public spaces through Feb. 15.
Since the last data update on Jan. 28, the county has recorded 1,055 new cases of COVID-19. Three new deaths were reported, one unvaccinated person and two fully vaccinated. Nine new hospitalizations due to COVID-19 were reported. Seven were unvaccinated and two were fully vaccinated. Age ranges of reported hospitalizations in the seven-day period are as follows:
- 1 person in their 50s
- 6 people in their 60s
- 1 person in their 70s
- 1 person aged 80 or older
The graphs below, which depict average weekly case rates and weekly hospitalizations and deaths in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated local residents, show that more severe outcomes from COVID-19 are higher among unvaccinated individuals.
As depicted in the graph above for the period between May 30, 2021, and Jan. 23, 2022, 17 deaths of fully vaccinated Humboldt County residents from COVID-19 were reported. The average age of those deaths was 79. During that same period, 52 deaths of unvaccinated residents were reported. The average age of those deaths was 67. During that same period, 65 fully vaccinated residents were hospitalized with an average age of 73. An additional 266 unvaccinated individuals were hospitalized with an average age of 58. View a more detailed depiction of the hospitalization and death rates graph here.
The current seven-day average case rate in Humboldt County is approximately 91, meaning that for every 100,000 residents, approximately 91 tested positive daily over the last seven days. Case rates vary considerably by vaccination status, as illustrated in the graph below, which depicts average weekly case rates since January 2021 in unvaccinated and fully vaccinated residents.
The most recent seven-day average case rate for the period ending Jan. 23, for fully vaccinated individuals is 60 per 100,000 residents, while the case rate for unvaccinated individuals is 57 per 100,000 residents. View a more detailed depiction of the case rate graph here.
COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against the virus, but CDC data shows their effectiveness at preventing infection or severe illness wanes over time, especially in people aged 65 or older.
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 — Friday, Feb. 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.Eureka — Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eureka High School (1915 J St.)
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, Feb. 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.Eureka — Tuesday, Feb. 8, 9 to 11:30 a.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.Eureka Pediatric Clinic — Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1:15 to 4 p.m.
Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
Ages 5 to 11
Pfizer only
No testing available
Appointments recommended.Willow Creek — Tuesday, Feb. 8, 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.Rio Dell — Wednesday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department (50 Center St.)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.McKinleyville — Thursday, Feb. 10, 2 to 7 p.m.
Church of the Joyful Healer (1944 Central Ave.)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.Petrolia — Friday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Mattole Valley Resource Center Family Clinic (167 Sherman St.)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.Honeydew — Friday, Feb. 11, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Honeydew Elementary School Family Clinic (1 Wilder Ridge 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.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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= historic data. All data from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center.
Data from CalREDIE. Zip codes not listed have experienced five cases or fewer. Zip code populations from the American Community Survey, 2018.