Vaccine Continues To Arrive In Humboldt, Mad River Hospital Offering Vaccine To Age Group 75 And Older, Holiday Travel Contributing To Local Surge, And More

For this type of report, the Emergency Operations Center takes the questions from the media, and staff reads them on camera to officials for their response. The resulting video, called a Media Availability, is then provided to news outlets at the end of the day.

Here are some of the main points covered in the January 21st Media Availability session with a summary of answers from Humboldt County Public Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman.

Question by The North Coast Journal: We’re receiving reports that both Safeway on Harris St. and Mad River Community Hospital have either posted sign-ups for vaccine appointments or held vaccine clinics reportedly available to residents who don’t yet meet the stated eligibility criteria of being a healthcare worker or over the age of 75. Can you please explain how these offerings do or don’t fit into the county’s vaccination plan?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Sure, yeah. We’ve been working with both of these entities to vaccinate our population. Safeway has been authorized to send invites to people who are healthcare workers. We send those lists to them and then they invite them. That’s all the only group that they are vaccinating currently.  

Mad River has continued to work with our staff to vaccinate their own hospital employees and clinic employees and has worked with us over the past month to vaccinate other folks in the community who are health care workers outside of Mad River, and just recently did start to open some clinics to those who are 75 years and older. I don’t know of any of these who are offering outside of the guidance of what we’ve put forward and if we do find discrepancies, we reach out to those folks and alert them and try to problem solve around that.

1 mins 45 sec in: 

Question by The North Coast Journal: You have asked local residents over the age of 75 to wait to be contacted by their primary healthcare providers to schedule a vaccine. Is that still your advice?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yes it is. We have been working with a lot of healthcare providers around the county on trying to get the message right.  One thing that we’re going to do to really try to help folks who are not part of the larger groups that are vaccinated right now, group practices that are vaccinated right now, is we’re  going to be releasing an interest form that people would access on our website and that will allow people to go there, get their information and then we’ll collect that and make sure that those folks are reached out to in a timely manner to get them scheduled for an appointment. So that’s coming, it should be coming out in the next few days.

2 mins 50 sec in:   

Question by The North Coast Journal: Some counties — including San Francisco — have launched vaccine registries that allow everyone to sign up in a single place to be notified when it’s their turn to schedule a vaccination appointment. Has Humboldt considered creating such a registry and what are the logistical challenges to doing so?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yes definitely. We’re working on that on a small scale for a smaller county.  We’re starting – we started with surveys that we sent out to the groups in Phase 1A to find out what their interest was, and start to organize clinics for them and that’s been ongoing since we got vaccine in December.  We’ve also been working with other groups to, you know, like teachers and law enforcement and first responders to gauge their interest and start to work towards that next stage of planning. And then there’s this interest form that’s going to be coming out and we realize that’s a small scale of what’s going on in some places but it is a big logistical challenge to get these things going.  

I’ll just note as well the state is working on a state-based platform for this exact kind of thing and we are definitely anticipating that we’ll be ready in the coming future and I think that will solve some of these concerns when people can go to  that state-based platform and sign up. 

 

4 mins 15 sec in:  

Question by The North Coast Journal: To your knowledge, have any vaccine doses expired locally and what direction have you given local providers in the event they have doses at imminent risk of expiring?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

I have not heard of any local doses expiring.   In our planning with the providers who do COVID vaccination, we emphasize very strongly that we plan for the number of doses so you don’t end up with expiring doses at the end of a clinic.  It happens, sometimes people don’t show up for their appointment. There are occasional things that happen so when there are expiring doses, a plan is in place with those folks to have a list of people they could call up and always – if there’s really truly an emergency and a dose is expiring I would encourage them to to reach out to the health officer to find a plan immediately.

5 mins 15 sec in: 

Question by The North Coast Journal: From what you understand of contact investigations, what’s currently driving local case counts? Have the impacts of holiday travel and gatherings peaked yet?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yeah it continues to be mostly through contact with a known someone that you know. That would include travel to visit family and friends and also gatherings. So we’re still seeing that.  

We are also not out of the holiday travel period yet; it really takes a good four to six weeks to see the true peak of those travel related events.

6 mins 5 sec in:   

Question by Redwood News: The State announced late Wednesday that providers could resume the use of Moderna vaccines from lot 41L20A. Are you able to talk about any of the findings from the investigation into the vaccine and its adverse effects? What would your message to the community be for those that may be skeptical of the vaccine due to the pause? 

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yeah I’m very happy to hear that the vaccine was  released from the pause. It was having big effects on our vaccination effort locally. The findings  of the investigation were basically that they could not conclude with any scientific evidence  that there was a problem with this entire batch, it was located in one small area. In a meeting with the health officers from the western states along with experts in immunology and allergy, it was decided that it was safe to move on.  

I think it’s the right decision. That lot has continued to be used both here, in other states that had the same lot and before the pause it had been given across the whole state of California.  Hundreds of doses here in Humboldt County, thousands in some counties without any other notice of a problem so we feel confident that this was a localized issue, that it had nothing to do with the entire lot and that we…will continue to use it and I definitely don’t think there should be any concern for that lot going forward. 

7 mins 50 sec in:   

Question by Redwood News: Now that the County is able to resume using the Moderna vaccines and replacements are no longer needed, are you able to talk about how the pause affected vaccinations this week? 

Also, what does this pause mean for the vaccination plan moving forward?

Are any future phases/roll outs going to be delayed or pushed back due to the pause this week?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yeah I can speak to some of the delays for sure.  Within public health we had planned to expand our public health appointments just over a thousand  this week and those were affected by the pause we were not able to to schedule those appointments,  so they’ve been pushed off for the week.  

There were other mass vaccination events that  had been in the workings for this week as well  that also had to be put on pause. I don’t know  the specific numbers for those because they’re going on outside of our public health department,  but certainly they were eager and anxious to get them going and and had to put them on hold, but  now that we have the release we’ll be able to get those back up and running. And how is that going  to delay future phases and roll outs, hopefully no more than a week’s delay. We were planning  to get through this week’s doses and so now we’ll push those to next week and I think that  we’ll be caught up by the end of next week.  

Then it’ll just depend on how much vaccine we get  each week going forward after that.

9 mins 35 sec in:  

Question by Redwood News: Public Health announced a resident in their 50’s died with Covid-19 yesterday. Can you remind the community how Covid-19 deaths are reported? How quickly that is included in the County dashboard? Can you also speak to the fact that this is our youngest Covid-19 death since the start of the pandemic?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yes, so when someone dies with COVID-19  it can take sometimes days to get through the system of data that gets it to  our local public health department.  

If that happens locally, many times we might know  about it sooner, sometimes it might be happening outside of our county in which case it has to  make its way through a state-based system to get to us. So that’s one of the reasons that sometimes  things might seem delayed from the reporting side, but as soon as we know of that we get it into our  system and report it on the dashboard immediately.  

So the youngest COVID-19 death since the start  of the pandemic certainly hits very hard on us here in our community. I think that we also have  to remember and recognize that this has affected so many communities across California, across  the world and this is exactly the kind of thing that we’re trying to prevent with all of the  measures. There have been many more who’ve died that age and younger all across our nation. So we  want to remember all of them and take the steps that we can to prevent the spread so this doesn’t  happen to anyone else in our community.

11 mins 25 sec in:  

Question by Redheaded Blackbelt: At this time, how many, if any, COVID-19 patients from out of the area have been transferred into Humboldt County hospitals due to the surge throughout the state? Are those cases being treated in the ICU? 

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

I do not know of any. 

11 mins 50 sec in:  

Question by Redheaded Blackbelt: After the pause on the Moderna vaccine batch the county was relying on to provide much of its vaccinations, does the county expect to be receiving additional shipments of the Moderna vaccine this month? 

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yes we continue to get Moderna vaccine each week as allocated from the state  and now with the freeing up of that paused Moderna lot we should be able to hold all of our clinics next week. 

12 mins 25 sec in:  

Question by Redheaded Blackbelt: To assist with the vaccination efforts locally, how many volunteers are being recruited, what is the potential number that could be enlisted? Are those volunteers going to be needed if the current rate of vaccination continues?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Absolutely. So currently we have about 40 volunteers who have been sworn in. We have many more ready to be sworn in and they’re absolutely needed because this vaccination effort is only going to get bigger and bigger as time goes by, especially as we get more vaccine in the future. 

13 mins 5 sec in:   

Question by North Coast News: Since the pause on the administration of the batch of the Moderna vaccine, can you quantify in numbers how many people weren’t able to get their second or first dose of the vaccine this week? 

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yeah so I think I mentioned some of the loss of  clinics that we had for first doses, second doses  again it’s these are estimates,  but I estimate about 2500 of those were second doses that would have been on  hold this week, but now they can proceed and we’ve let everyone know who is holding  those doses, that they should proceed to vaccinate their second doses with that  batch. 

13 mins 50 sec in:   

Question by North Coast News: Today marks one year since the announcement of the first patient with Covid-19 in the United States. What do you think Humboldt has excelled at in the management of the COVID-19 vaccine and what has been the biggest blunder thus far? 

After the vaccine is administered to more people — when will the virus become an annual nuisance instead of an existential threat? 

How long do you think we will be wearing masks and limiting gatherings?

Answer by Dr. Hoffman: 

Yeah it is a big landmark. It’s been a long, bumpy journey to get to here. I think Humboldt is doing really well overall with the vaccine.  Of course, we will not say it was not without challenges and we’re all learning as we go along and building it as we go. I think that there is hope on the horizon for more support for this vaccine effort which certainly gives us a lot of hope that this will get better before it gets worse and the the vaccine will be the thing to end the pandemic. But  that’s still likely to take a while likely if we can get the amounts of vaccine that are  needed to vaccinate the number of people weekly to get to a large portion of our population  vaccinated by the end of the summer, we will be able to hopefully get back to a better place where we will feel more confident about reversing some of the measures like distancing, gatherings. 

In terms of mask wearing I think that that’s something that is really difficult to address at this time. If we look back at the history of coronavirus and how it affected other societies in the past decade, there were  many places where people were wearing masks over the last decade nearly every winter. So I  think that we’ll see where this takes us. It is a new tool that was not available with the vaccine  in the past for corona – other coronaviruses.  

So time will tell, but I am hopeful that once we  can get through a large portion of the vaccination effort throughout the rest of this year that we’ll be poised to roll back some of those measures.  

Community members with questions or concerns are encouraged to call 441-5000 for additional information. 

For updates on vaccination distribution in California, go to cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19Vaccine.aspx.
Local information is also available online at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting [email protected] 

Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/vaccineinfo,

Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard,

Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19,

Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19, Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19, and

Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert 

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19 Comments
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Bob Cox
Guest
Bob Cox
3 years ago

Covid has a 99% survival rate. What would make me take a rushed and experimental drug with mutant technology?

Open the economy. Stop martial law. These restrictions will not stop.

People in the UK are allowed to leave their house once a day. People speaking out against the Covid hoax are arrested for hate speech in the UK.

Rest In Peace Hank Aaron who died days after taking the 2nd covid “vaccine.” Reports are pouring in from medical professional whistle blowers about covid “vaccine” injury amongst the elderly that are being silenced by the mainstream medium.

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob Cox

If you don’t want to be vaccinated I’m sure there will be plenty of others happy to take your place in the queue.

4Trinity
Guest
4Trinity
3 years ago
Reply to  Thirdeye

Bob Cox. I think your numbers are skewed. I think it’s closer to 99.5%

Due to cloth masks no doubt. 😎

“In terms of mask wearing I think that that’s something that is really difficult to address at this time. ” ~Dr Hoffman

Interesting…..

DawnI
Guest
DawnI
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob Cox

Bob Cox – If you know anyone that works in Microbiology or Infectious Disease they could educate you that the mRNA vaccine is being newly used but has been being worked on for 20 years or so. If you can grasp some basic vaccine how it works concepts it really has great potential to be very useful. I’m not going to go into all the specifics here but if you want to educate yourself there is a lot of information on how mRNA vaccines differ from live or partially live vaccines thta have been the norm up until now. “Mutant technology” is usually inspired by mutations that occur in nature, or on their own, in evolution of all forms of life.

As for the vaccine being rushed, around the world labs have been working on SARS and MERS vaccines for at least 10 years becasue there have been large outbreaks of both those viruses in other countries. One reason the current vaccine was able to be put to use as quicly as it has been is because many labs working on the vaccine collaborated to make this happen whereas they were often competing with each other to be the first to go to market.

At this point I believe it is hard to say taking the COVID-19 vaccine is the sole culprit in anyone’s death. Often underlying health issue play a part it such tragedies.

I’m not trying to convince you the vaccine is all good and no bad. I get it that wait and see is a valid prospect in what anyone’s final decision is about getting vaccinated.

Yes indeed, RIP Hank Aaron. May his memory be a blessing. We never do know what determines another person’s fate for when their life ends on earth, or how the end comes about.

Even with a 99% survival rate of COVID-19 infected patients life may never ever be the same after they recover. I think that is a good reason to not want to become sick with the disease just to find out.

Bob Cox
Guest
Bob Cox
3 years ago
Reply to  DawnI

Too many elderly are being injured. 100s of elders would be alive today if it wasn’t for the covid “vaccine.”

I will never take a “vaccine” with dangerous mutagenic technology to change my cells. Physical health comes from putting good food and water in my body, not taking a drug.

Covid is a weak cold. Take vitamins and get rest. Hospitals are heavily incentivized to admit a covid patient and paid even more to ventilate one. Ventilators kill covid patients. Ventilators are the state mandated treatment. Doctors and other medical professionals are being silenced about speaking out against covid hoax.

In the UK people can leave their house once a day. In LA, public health officials are considering restricting travel to 3mi from home. In Germany, covid rule breaker camps are being setup. Australians are expected to wear masks while driving and are arrested on site for not wearing a mask. The world is preparing to lockdown and forcibly inoculate it’s population.

Top government scientists say the “vaccine” will need updates by the end of the year, and every year to come. Mass vaccination centers are here to stay. There is no reason to believe martial law style lockdown and required inoculations will ever end. Speaking out against lockdown and forced inoculation will be considered “dangerous” and punishable by law.

Geist
Guest
Geist
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob Cox

1% of the US population is 3.3 million. Do you think our economy would absorb 3.3 million extra deaths more easily than a lockdown?

Also, the total number of Covid cases in the US is 24,700,000. The number of deaths is 410,000. That’s a morbidity rate of 1.6%.

Me
Guest
Me
3 years ago
Reply to  Geist

“the total number of Covid cases in the US is 24,700,000. The number of deaths is 410,000. That’s a morbidity rate of 1.6%.“

You gonna start this shit again?
We don’t know the total numbers of covid cases because we haven’t tested the entire population ? Why don’t you understand this? It blows my mind

4Trinity
Guest
4Trinity
3 years ago
Reply to  Me

Not to mention “cases” is based on completely inaccurate, flawed rtPCR tests with cycles set in the 40 range(rt).

That would affect “deaths” as well of course.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
3 years ago
Reply to  Me

And we don’t know the total number of deaths either.

Take the information and work with it.

Do you close your eyes on a blind turn?

The fact is, for every recorded 100 cases, about 1 recorded death happens.

Or, keep your eyes closed…

4Trinity
Guest
4Trinity
3 years ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

The fact is, your “cases” and “deaths” are “verified” using our favorite little test.

The one that might possibly be 3% accurate.

https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1491/5912603

We’ve attempted this discussion before.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
3 years ago
Reply to  4Trinity

We might be missing 97% of Covid deaths?

Oh dear.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

Dawn, you are completely wrong and any “smart” person knows it.You are pushing poison on people. I am a registered nurse and recently quit my job because I will not support the killing and or nano technology control of people I have sworn to take care of. Shame on you for lying and supporting evil. mRNA was made to change your dna and is very diabolical in nature. Anyone who takes this vaccine is actually by medical terms genetically modified. Anyone who speaks this truth is immediately fired and made to look like a conspiracy theorist. This is diabolic stuff and extremely dangerous to your wellbeing. If you say different you are either ignorant or working for evil people who are treating the human race as guinea pigs. Covid 19 IS germ warfare and the vaccine is nano technology which alters your DNA and NOBODY actually knows what it will do. Covid is SARS, bat gene and hiv. This IS the truth. Its WAS manufactured in a lab because that is the only way to bring these compounds together. You have a immune system for a reason people and I strongly advise you use it and stay away from the doctors. They are BIG PHARMA drug pushers and they know exactly how dangerous this is. You can take vitamin d3 and k2 and liquid minerals. Sun helps your body to absorb vitamins and anti-oxidents and proper nutrition is key. I was trying to remain quit but I have come to the point where I can not take these lies anymore. Please everyone be safe out there. Please be as natural as possible and take good care of your bodies with proper sleep and nutrition. Remember to smile and laugh instead of having fears or anxiety. God be with you all.

4Trinity
Guest
4Trinity
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

That was good Guest. Thank you.

I’ll throw in a link for those who, for some odd reason, believe an RNA vaccine doesn’t affect your DNA. It IS genetic modification.

How many of you expressed your anti-GMO ideas in the past? What happened?

Now some of you will become one. Oh the irony…..

https://phys.org/news/2020-01-rna-effect-dna.html

North west
Guest
North west
3 years ago

Cool. The more people that turn the vaccine down, the quicker I get MINE

Bob Cox
Guest
Bob Cox
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

It’s not a vaccine, it’s gene therapy.

The global elite want us dead. The “vaccine” is their tool to cull the human herd by %80.

Mr and Mrs
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

Dont worry north west you’ll get more plenty more of where that came from. Come to mommy.

Kary
Guest
Kary
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

Yah, you can’t fix stupid. I agree with a commenter from a previous page. Let the stupid ones get the vaccine. Seems like a great way to get rid of them. Thanks evil elite and puppet mastered politicians.

Me
Guest
Me
3 years ago

Biden today: “There is nothing we can do to change the trajectory of the pandemic in the next several months.”

Guess we can open back up then ???

Mr and Mrs
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Me

Biggest question still unanswered:

1. Can you shed the virus if you are

A. Recovered from covid asympotomatically or symptomatically

B. Have been vaccinated

If no answer then we have completely wasted 9 months.