Posted By Thadeus Greenson@ThadeusGreenson on Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 2:07 PM Humboldt County Public Health reported no new confirmed COVID-19 cases today for the first time in a daily report since October, leaving the county s cumulative tally at 3,025. But due to impacts of labs being closed for Monday s holiday, only 50 samples were included in today s report and officials urge continued vigilance. Earlier today, meanwhile, the county reported that the age 20-to-39 demographic continues to see the most case activity locally. Meanwhile
, the state of California updated its COVID risk tier assignments today and Humboldt County remains in the most restrictive purple widespread tier with most of the rest of the state. However, Public Health reported today that Humboldt County s recent data would meet the red substantial risk tier metrics if it continues for another week, which could trigger the loosening of some restrictions
Cumulative COVID-19 cases, recoveries and deaths in Humboldt
As the Journal s editorial staff gathered (virtually) for the annual ritual of deciding the year s top 10 stories the most impactful and memorable things that happened on the North Coast it was inescapable: The stench of COVID-19 was everywhere. From shuttered schools, closed businesses and laid-off workers to local government s frantic planning efforts, death and illness COVID-19 was the top 10 stories in Humboldt County. Every. Single. One.
But that was a depressing realization we couldn t entirely square with. After all, there were other monumental stories in 2020 that will forever change Humboldt from huge forest fires and an institution in crisis to the fight for racial justice and the decades-long effort to restore a river s health. Omitting those, we felt, was letting the pandemic win. So we opted to give COVID-19 the space and prominence it deserves, while offering readers five additional stories that any