Resident, in 80s, dies after testing positive for COVID
A Humboldt County resident in their 80s has died after testing positive for COVID-19, the county announced Friday.
Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported Friday. One case recorded previously was determined to be from another jurisdiction. The adjusted total of county residents who have tested positive stands at 3,448.
Humboldt County has not yet received its allocation of the one-dose Janssen vaccine, also known as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, announced to be available locally earlier this month. Humboldt County vaccine task force member Lindsey Mendez shared the status update during a media availability session on Thursday.
“Right now, I’d like to tell the community that we had a small allocation in the past of (the Jannsen vaccine) that at this time we have not yet received,” Mendez said during the media availability’s opening comments.
She added the other two vaccines currently authorized for use are still coming into the county.
“We are getting Pfizer and Moderna regularly, as we have in the past, but we are fluctuating with the amount that we are getting,” she continued.
While Mendez did not provide any numbers for doses, the county announced state authorities had allocated 6,910 COVID-19 vaccine doses for use in Humboldt County next week. Of these, 3,400 are manufactured by Pfizer and 3,510 are manufactured by Moderna.
Because of its administration via a single shot, the Janssen vaccine has been considered for use with individuals who have difficulty making multiple appointments, such as the elderly, people living in remote areas and the homeless.
The news of the Jannsen vaccine’s local unavailability comes after a March 5 update, where Mendez introduced the Janssen vaccine ahead of its expected arrival in the region the following week.
Responding to a TimesStandard inquiry during the March 5 media availability session, Mendez said Humboldt County was allocated a number of the new vaccine doses by the state, though she did not give any numbers for the allocated Janssen vaccines.
Despite the delayed arrival of the Janssen vaccine, Mendez stated inoculation clinics will continue to operate with local partners and the public health department.
She also underscored the importance of receiving the vaccine suite offered at the time of scheduling and continuing recommended health precautions.
“Always remember to socially distance yourself, wear your mask and wash your hands, as not everybody is inoculated in Humboldt County,” Mendez stated.