Those without symptoms or those who are mildly ill can schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test online through OptumServe at lhi.care/covidtesting or by phoning 888-634-1123. The site is located at Redwood Acres, 3750 Harris St., Eureka.
88 new cases – numbers now doubling every 31 days
“We’ve all heard about exponential growth, and we are flirting dangerously with it and could already be there. COVID transmission, like a freight train, has gained a lot of speed and will take weeks to slow down, with the full impact to hospitals yet to be seen.”
COVID scourge steeply surging
Daniel Mintz Mad River Union HUMBOLDT – COVID-19 is surging and what Humboldt’s health officer has described as a “steep climb in cases” has moved the county into the state’s highest risk category, effecting new restrictions and a curfew. Disease is spreading at an unprecedented pace nationally, statewide and now, locally. Humboldt saw 122 cases…
‘Local COVID conditions have worsened rapidly’
“The time we have all been discussing has now arrived. Our everyday actions are tied more than ever to more hospitalizations and more deaths. Be sensible, be kind—show your neighbor what it is to care by following commonsense, evidence-based recommendations.”
Meet Humboldt’s new Health Officer
Dec. 4, 2020 – County Set to Name Dr. Ian Hoffman New Health Officer Dr. Ian P. Hoffman is expected to be named the county’s new health officer, pending confirmation by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. He replaces Dr. Teresa Frankovich, who stepped back from the position earlier this week. Dr. Hoffman holds…
Arcata restaurants adapting to pandemic
Mad River Union ARCATA – Arcata restaurants are coping with COVID-19 as best they can, adopting streetside dining and new takeout options. Some, learning of infections among their staff, have closed to take corrective measures. Northtown’s popular hamburger restaurant Stars Arcata sent out this notice on Saturday: “Dear Humboldt, we have just learned that a…
ICU capacity now driving regional restrictions
The “Regional Stay Home Order” takes effect for at least three weeks if a region’s cumulative ICU capacity falls below 15%. The order is lifted when ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%, at which time each county is reassigned to a tier based on its local COVID-19 data under the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.”
COVID explosion at Eureka nursing home
Humboldt County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Josh Ennis said this outbreak demonstrates the difficulty in keeping the vulnerable safe from COVID infection once community transmission is so widespread. “We have a level of disease circulating right now that compromises our ability to conserve our hospital beds and ultimately protect the vulnerable,” he said.
44 new cases today – highest daily report yet
“Forty-four cases is obviously the highest daily report we’ve seen to date, and at this point in the pandemic, we know that hospitalizations and deaths follow weeks behind,” Dr. Ennis said.
Frankovich’s last day as health officer sees 21 new cases
Dr. Frankovich expressed gratitude to colleagues and the entire community for their tireless efforts in navigating this pandemic. “I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve this community in this incredibly challenging time,” she said. “At this point, we have the knowledge and tools to help us navigate forward. It will take the effort of each and every one of us to do so. I am happy to continue serving in a new, supporting role.”