Coordination of Humboldt County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic formally transferred from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) effective today.
While the two agencies have been working in tandem for the last 16 months, the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center has been deactivated, and response efforts have been reorganized under the DHHS Departmental Operations Center (DOC), which will be led by Public Health.
Since the first local case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in February of last year, Public Health, the EOC and community partners brought testing resources online, established an alternate care site, oversaw vaccination of approximately half the county and developed an extensive network of mobile vaccination resources.
Emergency Services Manager Ryan Derby said OES’s typical role is to stabilize an emergency so that ongoing response efforts can be incorporated into routine government operations.
“This pandemic has been anything but typical. In fact, it’s been the longest activation in Humboldt County history, and it’s not over yet, even though the EOC is shutting down,” Derby said. “We feel confident that Public Health can continue to provide the level of services required to effectively address any needs that arise, and I’m grateful to all of the volunteers and area partners who have helped us get to this point.”
DHHS has provided the majority of staff for the duration of the incident, which leaves Public Health well prepared to manage ongoing needs, ranging from contact investigations to vaccination efforts. Though the shift to a DOC is largely internal, community members may notice some changes to visuals on some of the county’s outreach materials.
Public Health Director Sofia Pereira thanked Sheriff Honsal, Ryan Derby and EOC staff for their partnership over the last 16 months. “Public Health has worked alongside OES to build the foundation of the county’s response, and we will continue that work to get resources to the people who need them,” she said.
The COVID-19 Call Center will continue to answer questions about safety measures, testing and vaccination from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 707-441-5000 or email covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us.
Fifteen additional cases of COVID-19 were reported in Humboldt County today. Two previously reported cases were removed after one was determined to be from another jurisdiction and another was found to be a false positive. A total of 4,582 county residents have tested positive for the virus.
One county resident in their 40s has been hospitalized since yesterday’s report.
Local health officials urge everyone age 12 and over to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and say it’s the best way to prevent serious illness and death from the virus. Vaccine is available at Public Health clinics and at most local pharmacies.
Public Health will hold vaccination clinics in multiple locations over the next week, including at Friday’s Humboldt Crabs game in collaboration with North Coast Senator Mike McGuire and the California Department of Public Health. The first 100 people who get vaccinated at this clinic receive free admission to the game and a hot dog dinner.
Sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. See the clinic schedule for the next seven days below.
Arcata – Friday, July 2 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Arcata Ball Park/Humboldt Crabs game (888 F St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Free admission and a hot dog dinner for the first 100 people who get vaccinated at this clinic.
Rio Dell – Saturday, July 3 from noon to 2 p.m.
Dollar General (44 W. Davis St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Fortuna – Tuesday, July 6 from noon to 2 p.m.
Dollar General (650 S. Fortuna Blvd.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Samoa – Wednesday, July 7 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Samoa Women’s Club (115 Rideout Ave.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
Fortuna – Thursday, July 8 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Humboldt Senior Resource Center (3200 Newburg Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson
County residents age 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for those 18 and older.
COVID-19 vaccine is also available at many local pharmacies. Check availability at vaccines.gov, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins.
View 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 covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.
Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check for vaccine availability 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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