Following a data transmission error yesterday between two computer systems in the state of California, local public health officials today confirmed 90 new positive cases for the two-day period. The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus now stands at 7,984.
Four new hospitalizations have been reported, including one 30-year-old, two 50-year-olds and one over-80s.
Public health officials continue to urge residents to get tested, especially unvaccinated people, people with symptoms, and people who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
Testing has declined slightly in recent weeks and waiting times for exit vaccines are minimal. Currently, the response time of PCR results is 48 to 72 hours. Click humboldtgov.org/2787/Test-Registration for more information and a list of local test sites.
As of Tuesday, 74,761 Humboldt County residents have been completely vaccinated, or 55% of the county’s total population. Just over 70 percent of the vaccine-eligible population 12 years of age or older has received at least one dose.
Free COVID-19 vaccines are available each week this week at public health clinics across the county. Access is allowed and appointments can be made in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. For instructions in English and Spanish on how to use My Turn, go to humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo.
Check out the calendar of upcoming public health clinics below:
Eureka: Thursday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HCAR Parking (1707 E St.)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Petrolia: Friday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Mattole Valley Resource Center (203 Old Coast Wagon Road)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Honeydew: Friday, Sept. 17, 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Honeydew School (1 Wilder Ridge Road)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Miranda: Saturday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Fork High School (6831 Giants Avenue)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
McKinleyville: Sunday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McKinleyville High School (1300 Murray Road)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
To check the availability of a particular vaccine at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov or send a zip code to 438829 to locate a pharmacy that offers vaccines nearby. Most pharmacies allow excursions.
Pfizer is licensed for ages 12 and up and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are licensed for people over 18. 16- and 17-year-old county residents can receive a vaccine at public health clinics without parents or guardians physically present as long as they have a signed consent form. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardian.
Although some fully vaccinated people become infected with COVID-19, health officials agree in the majority that vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of serious outcomes.
Complete protection against vaccination is achieved two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.
As of Monday, September 20, Public Health will stop calling all residents who test positive for COVID-19. Instead, those who test positive will receive a text message or email from CalCONNECT, the state’s virtual contact tracking system. The message will include a link to a contact tracking survey along with instructions for isolation.
Anyone who identifies as a close contact of a person known to have COVID-19 should follow the quarantine guidelines. Read more about isolation and quarantine and access home care resources at humboldtgov.org/blanketorders.
See the Online Data Dashboard at humboldtgov.org/dashboard or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.
For the latest COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. You can get local information at humboldtgov.org or by contacting [email protected] or by calling 707-441-5000.
Sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check the availability of vaccines at a local pharmacy: Vaccines.gov
COVID-19 local vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Board: humboldtgov.org/Dashboard
Follow us on Facebook: @ HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @ HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @ HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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