COVID-19 Death Rate Rises After August Surge

Booster Vaccines Anticipated to Come to Humboldt Later This Fall

Eighty people have died of COVID-19 in Humboldt as of Sept. 8, according to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

The DHHS reported that 22 people died of COVID-19 in August, the highest monthly total in Humboldt since the first death on May 18, 2020.

The DHHS reported on Aug. 31 that the COVID-19 infection rate surged to over 2,000 cases in August alone. Since the first case was confirmed on Feb. 20, 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in Humboldt is 7,578 as of Sept. 8. During a virtual news conference on Sept. 8, Public Health Director Sofia Pereira expressed that the public health sector in Humboldt is overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.

“We are having to triage, just like our hospitals are triaging,” Pereira said. “Our top priority is to reduce the impacts of COVID-19 to keep people alive and healthy.”

Health officials are urging Humboldt residents to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Vaccinations are an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 alongside social distancing and masking. Just over 73,000 people, 54.1% of the county’s population, are fully vaccinated as of Sept. 7. According to the DHHS, 7.84% of the Latino population is partially vaccinated and 45.7% is fully vaccinated.

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman reported during the virtual news conference on Sept. 8 that “additional vaccines” are currently being administered to people at Public Health Clinics in Humboldt. Additional vaccines are highly recommended for immunocompromised people.

Hoffman also explained that “booster vaccines” are for the general population. He said booster vaccines haven’t been fully approved yet by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but are anticipated to be rolled out this fall. Anyone who has been vaccinated for at least 8 months will be eligible for a booster vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are available every week at Public Health Clinics throughout

Humboldt. The Joint Information Center has a list of locations for walk-ins or
appointments. Appointments can be made in advance at My Turn.ca.gov. For instructions in English or Spanish about how to use MyTurn, go to humboldtgov.org/2872/Vaccine-Info.

For local COVID-19 information in English or Spanish, call (707) 441-5000.