Humboldt County's spike in COVID-19 cases continued Saturday, with Public Health announcing four new positive cases, bringing the county's tally to 18.

Public Health said the source of infection for the four additional cases is currently under investigation, as are the county's three previous positive cases, and investigators will work through the weekend. The county has now recorded 17 positive cases since March 20.

The announcement comes after two additional cases were reported Friday, which followed two positives Thursday and news of Humboldt County's first COVID-19 related hospitalization. (Officials have declined to release any information about the hospitalized patient or their condition.)

Investigations remain ongoing into how the latest patients contracted the virus, with Public Health workers conducting extensive contact investigations to determine when and how they became infected.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Humboldt County has spiked sharply since the scone positive test was reported March 20 in someone who had recently returned from traveling in a "high-risk" country. (The county's first positive test was announced Feb. 20 in someone who'd just returned from China and has since recovered.)

On March 24, the county announced three additional cases, including positive tests from two members of a group that had recently returned from international travel. The following day, it announced five additional positives, all related to the same traveling group. Two more tests came Thursday, followed by two more Friday.

To date, the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory has processed 305 tests, while corporate laboratories have processed an additional 165 samples. Public Health reports it has supplies on hand locally to conduct another 550 tests.

Statewide, California has recorded 4,643 positive cases and 101 deaths related to COVID-19.


Basics of COVID-19 
The California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, state that symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Emergency warning signs needing immediate medical attention include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to awaken, and bluish lips or face.

In an emergency situation: Call ahead to the emergency room or inform the 911 operator of the possibility of a COVID-19 infection and, if possible, put on a face mask. St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial hospitals have opened tents on their campuses to begin screening patients who have “significant” symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus. The general hours of operation for the tents is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but that is subject to change.

Symptoms or possible exposure: In the case of a possible exposure with symptoms — fever and cough or shortness of breath — contact your doctor’s office or the county Department of Health and Human Services, which has a hotline that can be reached during business hours at [email protected] or at (707) 441-5000. Residents seeking medical advice or questions about testing are asked to contact Public Health at [email protected] or at (707) 445-6200. 

St. Joseph Health has also set up a virtual assessment tool as an aid to assess risk factors for contracting the illness, which can be found at www.providence.org/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus-advisory.


For the Journal's latest COVID stories, updates and information resources, click here.

See the full press release copied below:

Mach 28, 2020 – Four Additional COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

Four additional cases of COVID-19 were confirmed today, bringing the total to 18 local cases since the outbreak began. Cases 11 through 18 are currently under investigation.

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said staff is working through the weekend on the investigations, and additional information is expected next week.

A shelter-in-place order remains in effect in the county through April 9. For current information about COVID-19, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by emailing [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.