COVID-19: Testing, rising cases and new helpline
Humboldt county has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. In March 2022, there was an average of four cases a week. As of May 3, there has been an average of 22 cases a week according to the Department of Health and Human Services dashboard.
The DHHS recommends vaccinated and unvaccinated people continue to take protective measures against COVID-19 by washing hands frequently, wearing a well-fitted mask, social distancing six feet
from others when possible and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
Joint Information Center Closed March 2022
The Joint information Center number created in March 2020 to answer COVID-19 questions has closed. For the past two years, the JIC has helped county members sign up for vaccine appointments, find testing locations and provided Spanish-speakers with information about state and local health orders.
Community members can now call Public Health at (707)445-6201 if they have questions about COVID-19 recommendations, vaccine appointments and testing sites. Calls will be answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Public Health is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
According to the DHHS, callers to Public Health’s (707)445-6201 number looking for COVID-related information in Spanish will have their number taken and be called back by a Spanish speaker.
Free Testing for Community
Public Health vaccination and testing clinics are still available free of charge. To find a list of specific vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services visit the DHHS Humboldt Health Alerts or www.myturn.ca.gov.
Testing on Campus
Students without insurance are no longer eligible to receive a COVID-19 PCR test on campus. Before April 2022, federal funding allowed students to get free test kits for COVID-19 without proof of insurance, which has since ended.
Those who don’t have insurance can purchase their at-home rapid tests by iHealth from the Gutswurrak Student Activity Center and vending machines in the J and Nelson Hall. There is still a COVID-19 PCR test-site running through May in the Gutswurrak SAC for students and faculty with proof of insurance.
Health requirements for spring 2022 Commencement and Cultural Graduation
The spring 2022 Commencement and Cultural Graduation Celebrations require attendees over the age of 12 to show proof of vaccination, including a booster shot or a negative test result within the past 72 hours.
Proof of a Humboldt staff, faculty, student ID or ticket is required to attend these events. A physical CDC Vaccination Card for COVID-19, photo/screenshot of vaccination card or a printout from any health department is allowed. At-home Antigen (rapid) tests and lab PCR and Antigen tests are also acceptable according to Cal Poly Humboldt’s 2022 Spring Commencement website. If people are going to test within the 72 hours before the ceremony they will be asked to present a photo that shows the test result or a printout of lab results, the date the test was taken must also be shown.
