The week in local COVID-19 news
Humboldt County remains in the “yellow tier” of the state’s coronavirus community risk level.
The county has recorded 15 new cases since Oct. 10.
As of Friday the county was at 1.1 new cases per 100,000 people and had a positive test rate of 0.7%.
The state’s new case rate limit for a “yellow tier” rating is 1.0 per 100,000, which the county is slightly over. However the state limits positive test rate at 2%, which the county is well under.
There have been 544 confirmed cases since the first recorded case of coronavirus in the county at the end of February. There have been 520 confirmed recoveries, 35 total hospitalizations and eight deaths.
On Thursday Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said COVID-19 safety measures are increasingly important as flu season begins. “Coronavirus and influenza virus infections will be circulating at the same time in our community,” she said. “Flu vaccination is another Public Health tool we have to protect members of our community who are most susceptible to flu or COVID complications and to protect our health care system capacity to serve those in need.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone over 6 months of age be vaccinated for flu.
On Tuesday the state health department warned Californians against participating in traditional Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations.
“In general, the more people from different households with whom a person interacts, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with COVID-19 infection — symptomatic or asymptomatic — may spread it to others. Trickor-treating without necessary modifications promotes congregating and mixing of many households, particularly on crowded doorsteps, which can increase the spread of COVID-19. That type of mixing is not currently permitted in California. Additionally, if there is a positive case discovered, it is very challenging to do appropriate contact tracing to identify all those who have been potentially exposed.”
The state recommends limiting group gatherings and focusing on in-home celebrations with family or housemates.