Humboldt County Public Health reported today three new hospitalizations, a resident in their 60s and two in their 70s. An additional 144 new cases were also reported, bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases of the virus in the county to 18,926. No fatalities were reported.
Humboldt County’s indoor mask mandate, along with California’s statewide mask mandate, will expire at midnight tonight for vaccinated individuals. Those who are unvaccinated must still wear masks indoors in public.
The county health officer’s order rescinding local face coverings for the vaccinated removes any local orders at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and aligns the county with the state’s current mask order. For more information, or for the complete text of the order, read California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Guidance for the Use of Face Masks.
Universal school masking requirements will remain in effect statewide in California at least through Feb. 28. State officials will be assessing data and conditions in coming days, particularly case rates and test positivity, and on Feb. 28, state officials will provide further updates on a timeline for when masking in schools might relax. State health officials have said that if data continues on a downward trend, they could change school masking guidance from a requirement to a recommendation.
Public Health officials recommend that fully vaccinated individuals continue indoor masking in locations where the risk may be high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone wear a mask indoors in public settings in areas with high or substantial rates of community transmission. Humboldt County, along with all but one of California’s counties, and most of the U.S., are currently identified as areas of high transmission, according to the CDC’s Covid Data Tracker.
In specific higher risk settings, CDPH continues to require masks be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. These include indoor locations in K-12 schools, childcare and health care settings, public transportation and transit hubs, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term, adult and senior care settings. Workplaces will continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention standards set by CalOSHA.
Residents, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are urged to continue to take protective measures against COVID-19 by washing hands frequently, wearing a well-fitted mask approved by the CDC, distancing six feet from others when possible and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
CDPH recommends individuals stay home and away from others and get tested if they become sick or experience COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or muscle aches and often mimic common cold or flu illnesses.
Representatives from the True North Organizing Network will be at Public Health’s vaccination clinic scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Church of the Joyful Healer in McKinleyville. Spanish-language translation will be provided on-site. Thanks to collaborations like these, more than 66% of Humboldt County’s Latino population is fully vaccinated, compared to the state’s metric of approximately 57%.
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 — Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2 to 8 p.m.
Humboldt County Office of Education
Sequoia Conference Center (901 Myrtle Ave.)
Ages 5 and older
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
Backpack and gift card incentives for children and family
PCR and rapid testing available on a first-come first-served basis
Appointments for vaccinations recommended.
McKinleyville — Thursday, Feb. 17, 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.
Eureka — Friday, Feb. 18, 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.
Redway — Saturday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Healy Senior Center (456 Briceland 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, Feb. 21 — Closed for holiday
Eureka — Tuesday, Feb. 22, 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, Feb. 22, 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.
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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