Humboldt County Public Health confirmed the county's 46th COVID-19-related death today and 29 new cases since Friday. The resident who died was in their 50s.

Public Health also reported that a positive COVID-19 case was removed from the local case count after it was determined to be from another jurisdiction and removed a previously reported hospitalization that was determined to be unrelated to the virus. 

Public Health is continuing to urge residents to get vaccinated, with clinics scheduled this week at Cuddeback Elementary in Carlotta on Tuesday, June 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Mattole Grange in Petrolia on Wednesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at College of the Redwoods in Eureka on Thursday, June 10, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Although walk-ins are welcome at Public Health clinics, appointments are highly encouraged. To make an appointment go to www.MyTurn.ca.gov.

To date, Humboldt County has confirmed 4,382 cases, with 190 hospitalizations and 46 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths.

Today's numbers results came after the processing 392 samples.

The county dashboard lists 4,222 people as having "recovered" from the virus locally, though that just means they are no longer contagious and does not account for long-term health impacts, which local healthcare workers have told the Journal can be substantial, even in previously healthy patients.

The county’s test positivity rate has gone from 3.6 percent in November, to 7.3 percent in December and 9.9 percent in January, before dropping to 6.5 percent in February. In March, it dropped to 4.5 percent before inching back up to 5.9 percent in April. In May, it jumped to 8.3 percent.

Nationwide, more than 33 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with 594,802 related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In California, more than 3.6 million cases have been confirmed with 62,473 deaths, according to the Department of Public Health.

Meanwhile, the county's Joint Information Center is urging locals to get tested, calling it "one of the most helpful things county residents can do for the community at large," because it allows Public Health to catch cases early and limit spread. The state-run OptumServe testing site at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka is open seven days a week and no-cost appointments can be made by clicking here or calling (888) 634-1123 and other newly opened screening site information can be found here. 

The Humboldt County Data Dashboard includes hospitalization rates by age group, death rates by age group and case totals by ZIP code, the latter of which are reported in "a range of 0 to 5 for case count until the area surpasses 5 total cases," according to the county. After that threshold has been reached in a ZIP code, the exact number will be included.

Basics of COVID-19

The California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, state that symptoms of novel coronavirus include cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or a new loss of taste or smell.

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.

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 assessing risk factors for contracting the illness, which can be found here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has started a rumor-control webpage that can be found here. For the Journal's latest COVID stories, updates and information resources, click here.

Read the county release below:

1 Death, 29 New Cases Reported Since Friday

A Humboldt County resident in their 50s has died with COVID-19, marking the county’s 46th death. Humboldt County Public Health and emergency response staff extend their sympathies to the person’s family, friends and care providers.

Twenty-nine new cases have been confirmed since the most recent report on Friday. One previously reported case was removed from the local count after it was determined to be from another jurisdiction, and one antigen-positive case has now been reclassified as a PCR. The total number of county residents who have tested positive now stands at 4,382.

The Humboldt County Data Dashboard has been updated to reflect the latest information. This includes updates to the ZIP code section and the removal of one previously reported hospitalization, which has been determined to be unrelated to COVID-19.

Vaccination clinics are scheduled this week in Carlotta, Petrolia and Eureka. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics, or people may schedule in advance through MyTurn.ca.gov. See below for this week’s schedule and a list of vaccines offered.

Carlotta – Tuesday, June 8 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Cuddeback Elementary (300 Wilder Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Petrolia – Wednesday, June 9 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mattole Grange (36512 Mattole Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Eureka – Thursday, June 10 – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
College of the Redwoods Gym (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Eureka – Sunday, June 13 – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
College of the Redwoods Gym (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for people 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people age 12 and older. A parent or guardian must accompany minor children to the clinic. Minor consent forms are available online in English or Spanish and may be printed and filled out for each minor child before coming to the clinic.

Español: humboldtgov.org/MinorConsentEspanol
English: humboldtgov.org/MinorConsentEnglish

Many local pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccines, and most pharmacies allow walk-ins. Check availability at vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a nearby vaccination site.