Jessica Cejnar Andrews / Today at 3:07 pm / COVID-19, Community
Following the recent COVID death, Del Norte’s public health officer says the community is “fairly well protected” against future potential surges
Courtesy Del Norte Public Health Department
The Del Norte County health officer says that while he is concerned there will be another COVID-19 surge, given the number of residents who are vaccinated or have had COVID infection, the community is “fairly well protected.” is.
dr Aaron Stutz said he expects seasonal spikes in the novel coronavirus, as well as a system of annual vaccinations aimed at the latest variants.
“It will be important to get vaccinated annually if you want an easy and safe way to protect yourself from dying from a preventable disease,” Stutz said Wild River’s outpost Thursday via email.
That outpost contacted Stutz two days after the Del Norte Public Health Branch reported that a 49th person had died from COVID-19 and two people were hospitalized with the disease.
Just one person was hospitalized with COVID-19 in Del Norte County as of Thursday, according to Public Health. As of Thursday, 30 new cases had been reported, including 14 among the county’s incarcerated population.
As of Thursday, Del Norte County had 78 active COVID cases.
There are currently 103 active COVID-19 cases among inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s COVID-19 Tracker.
According to the California Department of Health and Human Services, 52.7 percent of Del Norte County’s population has received a primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Of those eligible, approximately 51.5 percent received a booster shot.
Stutz said he had no further information about the recent COVID-19 death.
He said that while it’s possible a new variant could result in a renewal of previous restrictions like indoor masking, he doesn’t expect the same impact on the local hospital as before in the community.
As of Tuesday, COVID-19 vaccines are no longer available at Sutter Coast Hospital. To obtain the syringe, visit a local pharmacy or vendor.
Del Norte County Public Health also offers vaccines at 400 L Street in Crescent City on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (707) 464-0861.
Tests are available Monday, Friday and Saturday from OptumServe locations at 175 H Street from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesdays at the old Ray’s Food Place in Smith River; and on Wednesdays at the Pey Mey Fuel Mart in Klamath.
