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HumCo Goes Orange

Humboldt County has been moved into the state’s orange or “moderate” COVID-19 risk tier after long stays in the more restrictive red and purple tiers.

The new status will allow more business sectors to open, while expanding indoor operations capacity for restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, retail stores, places of worship and other organizations.

The news came as Gov. Gavin Newsom announced April 6 that the tier system is slated to end June 15, with businesses and other activities across the state allowed to reopen to pre-pandemic levels, depending on two main factors: hospitalizations and vaccination supply numbers. Mask mandates will remain in effect for the foreseeable future, he said.

“This disease is as deadly as it’s ever been, the thing we’ve done is suppress the spread,” Newsom said at a press conference, noting health officials are mindful of variants and masks are an important part of controlling the virus’ spread.

“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, masking and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghalys said in a news release. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”

By the end of the month, Newsom said he anticipates the state will have distributed 30 million doses.

California opened up the vaccine line to those 50 years and older April 1, with residents 16 years and older able to receive a shot starting April 15.

Humboldt County residents looking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine need to register through the state’s My Turn site as part of a transition to Blue Shield taking over vaccine distribution and registration. Those who filled out the county’s vaccine interest form will have to do so again on the state’s My Turn website (www.myturn. ca.gov) as county information will not be rolled over to the state’s database.

County residents who have already received one dose do not need to use My Turn for scheduling and should receive an email from Public Health or contact from the original provider about second dose information, according to a news release.

The state data released today shows Humboldt County with a test positive rate of 2 percent (compared to 2.2 percent last week) and a daily case rate of 3.5 per 100,000 compared to California overall, which has a 1.8 positivity rate and 5.1 cases

A New Chief

Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming (right) swears in Kyla Baxley has her office’s new chief investigator, a position she takes over from the recently retired Wayne Cox. Read more about Baxley, a Eureka native, and Cox’s award-winning career at www.northcoastjournal.com. Posted 04.01.21

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per 100,000. Last week, Humboldt’s daily cases rate was 4.6 per 100,000.

The move to orange brings Humboldt into the least restrictive zone since late November, when a surge in cases catapulted the county from the “minimal” risk tier, over the “moderate” and straight to the red zone before quickly moving into the “purple,” or widespread COVID-19 risk rank.

Except for a brief stint in January, Humboldt stayed in the most restrictive tier until moving back to the red zone in late February.

Over the last few months, 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. — Kimberly Wear Posted 04.06.21 Read the full story online.

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Fruit Trees: Cooperation Humboldt’s mission to make more food available to all is steadily growing, with the local nonprofit having planted 130 new fruit trees throughout the county so far this year. The trees are provided free of charge so long as residents make their fruit available to all. Posted 03.31.21

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Molestation Arrest: The Eureka Police Department has arrested Jorge Alcazar Vasquez, 41, of Rio Dell, on an arrest warrant on suspicion of the ongoing sexual abuse of a child younger than 10 years old after a months-long investigation. Bail in the case has been set at $1.7 million. Posted 04.01.21

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Digitally Speaking

The number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Humboldt County residents in the seven-day period before the Journal went to press April 6 as local case rates continue to fall. Read the latest COVID-19 information at www. northcoastjournal.com. Posted 04.06.21

They Said It

“If you are not a strong swimmer, do not swim in the river.”

— The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in a press release offering river safety tips after a deputy helped rescue three Arcata residents in distress in the Trinity River, which is still running swift and cold. Posted 04.02.21

Comment of the Week

“Cheers to Judy & Carolyn for many years of dedicated North Coast journalism!”

— Steven L. Yarbrough commenting on the Journal’s facebook page on a post about the paper’s recent change in ownership, with Fortuna’s own Melissa Sanderson purchasing it from longtime owners Judy Hodgson and Carolyn Fernandez. Posted 03.31.21