UPDATED: Wednesday, September 2 at 6:15 PM
The City of Arcata is monitoring COVID-19 and is working with, and following all recommended guidelines from, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the California Department of Public Health and the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services.
The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation, and the City is dedicated to keeping the community safe and informed during this unprecedented time, and updated COVID-19 related news will be provided on this webpage as it becomes available.
Humboldt County’s total COVID-19 case count rose to 397, as 4 additional cases have been reported on Wednesday, September 2. For more information, please click here.
Humboldt County’s COVID-19 Alert Level stands at moderate risk or level 2, meaning that there are a moderate number of cases with majority of cases from a known source. Residents and visitors are still encouraged to limit everyday activities to increase public safety. Please click here to learn more and view the County’s Alert Level Assessment tool.
The City of Arcata is actively working with Humboldt County health agencies to protect our community, prepare for more local cases and assist in maintaining the health and safety of our region. All residents are encouraged to stay at home as often as possible to slow the spread of the virus.
Please click here to find COVID-19 resources for residents and business owners.
Stay at Home Orders
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 19 at 5:30 PM
The Governor has ordered all California residents to shelter in place until further notice. This order is to ensure the maximum number of people self-isolate to the greatest extent possible, while allowing essential services to continue, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- California residents may leave their homes to seek or provide essential services such as obtaining medical care or supplies, grocery shopping, refilling prescriptions and caring for an ill family member.
- Residents may also leave their home to seek or provide some nonessential services outlined by the State and County.
- Those who leave their homes are expected to wear a mask or face covering and maintain social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of 6 feet away from those not in their household.
Click here to see the order in its entirety. For answers to frequently asked questions about essential services pertaining to this order, please click here.
The Humboldt County Department of Public Health also has an order in place that directs all individuals living in Humboldt County to shelter in place. Given that the San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19 with extensive community spread, Humboldt County recognizes the imminent threat presented to the public’s health. To read the original County order in full, please click here.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Humboldt County Health Officer issued an Order to modify the Shelter-in-Place Order and allow additional businesses to reopen once their safety plan is approved. Please click here to learn more.
State & County News Updates
UPDATED: Wednesday, September 2 at 6:15 PM
- Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has submitted her letter of resignation to the Board of Supervisors, which will take effect when a replacement is hired. Please click here to learn more.
- The Humboldt County Health Officer issued a revised Facial Coverings Order to align local policy with State guidance. The revised order takes effect at 12:01 AM on Thursday, September 3. Click here to review the revised order.
- The Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center is incorporating the State’s new four-tier business reopening framework into the reopening plan process. Click here to learn more.
- Local health officials are reminding residents to check on their older friends and family members. Click here for more information.
- The Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center is now accepting reopening plans to resume some youth sports activities with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Click here for more information.
- Wildfires have forced thousands of people to evacuate around the state, and while there are no established evacuation shelters in Humboldt County, the County Health is offering tips to those who are housing or plan to house evacuees. Please click here to learn more.
- The 20-29 age demographic represents the largest percentage of new COVID-19 cases locally, reflecting a national trend, at 22 percent or one in five infections, according to the most recent County data. Please click here for more information.
- Public Health’s Communicable Disease team today issued blanket isolation and quarantine orders to help Humboldt County be better positioned for an increase in new COVID-19 infections. Please click here and here to learn more
- Small businesses with certified Reopening Plans from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be eligible for up to $12,500 in grant funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Please click here for more information.
- Based on the results of ongoing testing on campus, public health officials have confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 affecting members of the Humboldt State University community. Click here to learn more.
- The Office of the California Governor and California Department of Public Health recently released guidance on youth sports, but left key questions unanswered. The Humboldt County Joint Information Center is working with the State to clarify requirements. Please click here for more information.
- Humboldt County’s local COVID-19 testing capacity will nearly triple its capacity to conduct testing for the virus thanks to a new piece of equipment paid for with state and federal grant funding. Click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County’s outdoor spaces currently remain open to the public, however all playgrounds and communal structures remain closed at parks throughout California. Please click here for the State’s guidance on how to recreating responsibly.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in-depth guidance for employers to reopen safely and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace. Click here to learn more.
- Bars and dine-in restaurant closures remain in effect statewide. For information on what business sectors remain open, please click here.
- Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has noted the inherent risk associated with travel during a pandemic and the potential for increased spread locally. Please click here to learn more.
- The OptumServe public testing site located at Redwood Acres continues to experience an increase in demand for appointments and has been at or near maximum capacity for the last three weeks. Click here to learn more.
- Gatherings of any size are prohibited in the state of California. For more information, please click here.
- There is a face covering mandate for the State of California. Please click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has issued updated travel guidance for County residents who are traveling outside of Humboldt County. Please click here to learn more.
- The Humboldt County Health Officer issued an Order to modify the Shelter-in-Place Order and allow additional businesses to reopen once their safety plan is approved. Please click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County residents can now schedule a free COVID-19 test at the new OptumServe Testing site at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka. Please click here for more information.
- The Order of the Health Officer requiring county residents to wear facial coverings was updated Tuesday, April 28. Click here for more information and to review the updated order.
- The Humboldt County COVID-19 Compliance Tip Line is now active. If you are concerned that a person or business is not complying with the Shelter in Place Order, you are welcome to call (707) 441-3022.
Please click here for the latest local updates from the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services or to sign up to receive Humboldt County Health Alerts. Information will be updated posted here.
Community members may also contact the County directly by emailing covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.
For medical advice or questions regarding COVID-19 testing, contact Humboldt County Public Health by emailing hhsphb@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-445-6200.
City of Arcata News Updates
- Arcata City playgrounds, the Arcata Skate Park and City basketball, tennis and all other playing courts are closed to the public until further notice.
- The Environmental Services Department has temporarily designated some narrow stretches of trail at the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary as one-way routes. Maps showing the designated one-way trail sections will be posted at the marsh’s parking lot kiosks, trailhead kiosks and at the Interpretive Center’s door. A printable version of the map is also available here.
- The Arcata Community Forest and the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary are experiencing high volumes of visitors since the stay at home orders have been in place. The City would like community members to continue to be able to enjoy pubic trails during this time, and Community Forest and Marsh visitors are highly encouraged to walk or ride bicycles to avoid parking lot gathering much as possible.
- Humboldt County Schools are closed in response to COVID-19. A list of school closures provided by the Humboldt County Office of Education can be found here.
- Humboldt State University has taken many precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For the most recent updates from Humboldt State University, please click here.
- To help avoid the spread of COVID-19 at construction job sites, the City of Arcata requires that all active construction job sites within the City follow new safety protocols until further notice. Please click here to learn more.