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A group of ZIP codes encompassing parts of Fortuna, Carlotta, Rio Dell, Scotia and Hydesville are showing an “unusually high number” COVID-19 cases being reported by schools, youth sports leagues and businesses over the last few weeks, according to Humboldt County Public Health.

The specific ZIP codes that have had 60 percent more cases than the rest of the county over the last two months include: 95540, 95547, 95528, 95562 and 95565.

Additionally, an analysis by Public Health shows those areas have also been experiencing a higher number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths since the surge propelled by the Delta variant started in June.

“Further analysis shows that while the COVID-19 case rates are declining countywide, in this geographic area the rates are declining at half the rate seen in the rest of the county,” a Public Health alert on the outbreak states. “Analysis of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths for  ZIP codes show that both were higher than the countywide numbers, with a 48 percent increase in hospitalizations and 28 percent increase in deaths.”

Citing the combination of lower vaccinations rates along with the higher cases loads in those areas, Public Health is putting out the alert with a reminder about the importance of vaccination and testing as well as the protocols for residents to follow in the case of a positive at-home test, including following the Centers for Disease Control’s isolation guidelines and contacting their medical provider immediately.

“Public Health further recommends that people who have positive home tests also have a PCR test through a medical provider’s office, a local pharmacy or at a county-sponsored testing site,” the alert states. “PCR testing after a positive at-home test is best done within 24-48 hours after the positive test.”

Editor's Note: Due to an error in the original Public Health release, this story has been corrected to show the areas of the county impacted by the higher case rates.

Read the Public Health alert below:

Humboldt County Public Health issued an alert this morning to medical providers in the greater Fortuna area cautioning that COVID-19 contact tracing and investigations show an unusually high number of schools, facilities, businesses and youth sports leagues reporting cases over the past several weeks.

The alert outlines for providers the importance of vaccination, testing and what steps to follow if a resident tests positive for COVID-19 on an at-home test.

Analysis by Public Health’s Epidemiology Program has shown that the following zip codes, 95540, 95547, 95528, 95562, and 95565, which include southern Eureka, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Scotia, Hydesville and Carlotta, have been experiencing higher than usual cases, hospitalizations and deaths during the Delta surge starting in June.

Over the past two months, there have been 60% more cases in these zip codes compared to the rest of the county. Further analysis shows that while the COVID-19 case rates are declining countywide, in this geographic area the rates are declining at half the rate seen in the rest of the county. Analysis of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths for these zip codes show that both were higher than the countywide numbers, with a 48% increase in hospitalizations and 28% increase in deaths.

Because of the high COVID-19 case rates and lower vaccination rates in these areas, Humboldt County Public Health is encouraging everyone who takes an at-home test that is positive to follow CDC isolation instructions and contact their medical provider for medical guidance immediately. Public Health further recommends that people who have positive home tests also have a PCR test through a medical provider’s office, a local pharmacy or at a county-sponsored testing site. PCR testing after a positive at-home test is best done within 24-48 hours after the positive test. 

Humboldt County Public Health continues to monitor for disease outbreak in the county as part of its ongoing work in Communicable Disease. 

View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.