The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Public health

  • First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Humboldt

    First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Humboldt

    Press release from Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Branch

    Press release:

    The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public Health Branch has received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of one case of COVID-19 in a Humboldt County resident. A close contact who has symptoms is being tested as well.

    This marks the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Humboldt County. Presently, the ill individuals are doing well and self-isolating at home, while being monitored for symptoms by the Public Health Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Unit.

    Close contacts of these individuals will also be quarantined at home and monitored for symptoms by Public Health staff. With the amount of foreign travel by county residents, including travel to China, it is not surprising that a case has emerged locally. Additional cases may occur either in returning travelers or their close contacts.

    “It’s important to remember that the risk to the general public remains low at this time,” said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich. “Despite the fact that Humboldt County now has a confirmed case of COVID-19, there is no evidence to suggest that novel coronavirus is circulating in the community at large.”

    Frankovich added that transmission in the U.S. to date has been among close contacts and not among the general public.

    Public Health suggests the following precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and all infectious diseases, including common illnesses like colds and flu:

    • Stay home when you are sick
    • If you have a fever, stay home or go home if you are already at work or school, and stay home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
    • Wash your hands frequently and particularly before eating or drinking.
    • Promote good hand hygiene in your home by educating household members and making sure soap, hand sanitizers, and tissues are available.
    • Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth.
    • Encourage proper cough etiquette. Cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve or arm. Do not use your hands.
    • Perform routine surface cleaning, particularly for items which are frequently touched such as doorknobs, handles, remotes, keyboards and other commonly shared surfaces.

    The county’s Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Unit will continue to provide updated information about COVID-19 to health care providers, hospitals and schools, as well as the general public.

    The county’s Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Unit will continue to provide updated information about COVID-19 to health care providers, hospitals and schools, as well as the general public.

    For updated information about COVID-19, please continue to check the https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/.

    If you are ill and in need of medical care and have been in China within the previous two weeks or have been in contact with an individual who has COVID-19, please contact your health care provider or emergency department before presenting for care. Arrangements will be made to have you evaluated in the safest manner possible for health care staff and other patients.

  • Staying healthy during the flu season

    Staying healthy during the flu season

    Flu season has begun and the California Department of Public Health provides weekly reports of the epidemic. In CDPH’s third weekly report, all Californians are encouraged to get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible.

    An email sent by the CDPH stated, “CDPH is concerned about the severity of influenza and the impact of influenza on the health of people of all ages.”

    The CDPH went on to inform individuals by asking anyone suffering from the flu to avoid going into emergency rooms unless symptoms become more severe.

    The CDHP lists a variety of symptoms that people need to be aware of. These include:

    • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • Chest pain or pressure
    • Abdominal pain or severe vomiting
    • Not being able to eat or drink enough fluids
    • Being confused or not walking normally
    • Having symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough
    • Appearing dehydrated

    For anyone who is suffering from these symptoms, the CDPH encourages you to get in touch with health care services or seek emergency care as soon as possible.

    Students at HSU looking for a place to get vaccinated can visit Student Health and Wellbeing Services for free flu vaccinations. Vaccinations are only offered from October through January.

    Residents who are not HSU students can also visit the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services clinic in Eureka.

    On their website, they inform residents that “the cost of the flu shot is $17, although no one will be turned away for inability to pay.”

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers people methods on how they can prevent themselves from contracting the flu: “Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub”.

    The CDC also recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects. In addition, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. For more information to prevent spreading or getting the flu, visit the CDC’s website.

    The ongoing flu epidemic is being regarded as the worst in decades. The CDC reports that in the third week of the year, doctor visits for flu-like symptoms increased in the United States to 6.6 percent, higher than the national baseline of 2.2 percent. The number of pediatric deaths is 37.

    “It is not too late to be vaccinated,” the California Department of Public Health said. “CDPH recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated each year.”