Twenty-three new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Humboldt County today, bringing the total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus to 4,798. Three new hospitalizations were also reported, including one person in their 40s, one in their 50s and one in their 60s.
The Humboldt County Public Health lab has identified more than a dozen cases of the Delta variant since it was first found in the county in early May. Genomic sequencing identified only a single case of the variant in May, but by June the Delta variant was identified in 25% of sequenced samples.
According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant is estimated to be 64% more transmissible than the Alpha variant which in turn is 50% more transmissible than the original virus.
What the CDC refers to as breakthrough cases are to be expected with any vaccine, and Humboldt County has seen infections in fully vaccinated people as the rest of California has with the rise of the Delta variant. However, with very few exceptions, these cases are mild in otherwise healthy people.
Vaccination protects against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The CDC reports that only 3% of U.S. COVID-related hospitalizations and fewer than 1% of deaths have occurred in fully vaccinated people. In Humboldt County, those numbers are lower, with only two of the 222 hospitalizations and none of the 53 COVID-related deaths in Humboldt County occurring in fully vaccinated residents.
Public health officials advise unvaccinated and partially vaccinated community members to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible, as partial vaccination may leave a person vulnerable to variants like Delta. Full vaccination means both doses in a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Full protection is achieved two weeks after completing the vaccination series. Officials urge those who are hesitant or have questions to discuss their concerns with their primary care provider or speak to a Public Health nurse by calling the Joint Information Center at 707-441-5000.
Unvaccinated residents over the age of two are required to wear facial coverings in indoor public spaces. Some California counties have begun issuing advisories recommending indoor masking in public spaces regardless of vaccination status, and Los Angeles County has reinstated its indoor masking requirement.
Vaccine is available at Public Health clinics and at most local pharmacies. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics, or sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. See the clinic schedule for the next seven days below.
Fortuna – Wednesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
River Lodge Conference Center (1800 Riverwalk Drive)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Arcata – Thursday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Arcata Transit Center (925 E St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Redway – Friday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dean Creek RV Park (4112 Redwood Drive)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Fortuna – Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Redwood AutoXpo (Veterans Memorial Building, 1426 Main St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Arcata – Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Arcata Farmers’ Market (Arcata Plaza, 808 G St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Arcata – Sunday, July 25, from noon to 4 p.m.
Adopt-a-Park Community Celebration (Mad River Pkwy. E)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children as young as 12 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for those 18 and older.
To check availability of these vaccines, as well as Moderna, at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.
View the Humboldt County Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download today’s data.
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 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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