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Twenty-three new cases of COVID-19 were 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 in their forties, one in their fifties and one in their sixties.
The Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory has identified more than a dozen cases of the Delta variant since its discovery in the county in early May. Genomic sequencing identified only one case of the variant in May, but in June, the Delta variant was identified in 25% of the samples sequenced.
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 calls breakthrough cases are to be expected with any vaccine, and Humboldt County has seen infections in fully vaccinated people like the rest of California with the rise of the Delta variant. However, with a 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 COVID-related hospitalizations in the United States and less than 1% of deaths have occurred in fully vaccinated people. In Humboldt County, those numbers are lower, with only two of 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 can leave a person vulnerable to variants like Delta. Full vaccination means two doses of a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Complete protection is obtained two weeks after the end of 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 two years of age are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. Some California counties have started posting advisories recommending indoor masking in public spaces regardless of vaccine status, and Los Angeles County has reinstated its indoor masking requirement.
The vaccine is available at public health clinics and most local pharmacies. Walk-in visits are welcome at all public health clinics, or register in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. See the clinic schedule for the next seven days below.
Fortuna – Wednesday July 21, 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, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dean Creek RV Park (4112 Redwood Drive)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Fortuna – Saturday July 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Redwood AutoXpo (Veterans Memorial Building, 1426 Main Street)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Arcata – Saturday July 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Arcata Farmer’s Market (Arcata Plaza, 808 G St.)
Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson
Arcata – Sunday July 25, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Celebration Adopt a Park (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 people 18 years of age and over.
To check availability of these vaccines, as well as Moderna, at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov or text zip code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-in visits.
Check out 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 [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.
Register for the COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check the availability of vaccines 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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