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NCJ Daily Online
DAILY ONLINE HumCO’s COVID-19 Numbers Now Worst in California
As the Journal went to press May 25, Public Health confirmed that Humboldt County had the worst COVID-19 case and test-positivity rates of any of California’s 58 counties.
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The news came as Public Health had confirmed 57 new cases, one death and four new hospitalizations to start the week, after confirming 127 new cases and eight hospitalizations the week prior.
The county’s test-positivity rate — or the percentage of samples taken that come back positive for the virus — has also spiked in May. After dropping to 4.5 percent in March, it has jumped to 8.3 percent in May, while the statewide rate sat at just 1 percent.
Nonetheless, the state opted to keep Humboldt in its orange “widespread” COVID-19 risk tier, despite the rising numbers.
Officials are pointing to the local presence of the B.1.1.7 variant as a reason for the recent spike, with Public Health reporting last week that genomic sequencing has identified more than 40 local cases of the variant, which is associated with a 50 percent increase in transmission and more severe illness.
According to a state database, eight people were hospitalized with COVID-19 locally as the Journal went to press, including three receiving intensive care.
The county reported May 21 that state officials believe California is on track to move beyond its current blueprint for COVID-19 restrictions June 15, after which almost all business sectors can resume usual operations with limited exceptions, mostly for large events with 5,000 attendees or more. But the reopening will add risk for non-vaccinated individuals, and the state is urging residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Public Health reported last week that the county has administered more than 110,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with 38 percent of local population now fully vaccinated, including nearly 75 percent of residents over the age of 65. Further, Public Health reported that residents can now text their ZIP code to 438829 or call (800) 232-0233 to find a pharmacy near them offering the vaccine, and the county has a Pfizer vaccine clinic scheduled at College of the Redwoods on June 2 from 2 to 6 p.m.
The county currently has more than 13,500 vaccine doses on hand and said did not request additional doses from the state for this week.
Health officials continue to urge Humboldt residents to get tested, with more screening sites opened throughout the
Lupine Bloom Boom
Photo by Mark Larson Despite the ongoing drought, Mother Nature delivered this month on the longanticipated “super bloom” of lupines along Bald Hills Road in Redwood National Park. Read more and see a slideshow of the purple blooms at www.northcoastjournal.com.
POSTED 05.22.21
region. Residents needing to schedule a first or second vaccine appointment are encouraged to sign up through www. vaccines.gov.
The state of California updated its COVID-19 risk tiers May 25 and, despite escalating case rates, kept Humboldt County in the “moderate” or orange tier it entered last month, which allowed businesses such as restaurants, gyms and movie theaters to increase indoor operations while allowing others — including bowling alleys and family fun centers — to open.
The state data showed that Humboldt County has a test positive rate of 7 percent and a daily case rate of 12.5 per 100,000 compared to the prior week›s nine. California overall, meanwhile, reports a 1 percent test-positivity rate and 2.8 cases per 100,000.
— Thadeus Greenson POSTED 05.25.21 Read the full story online.
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