UPDATED: Monday, March 16, 2020 at 12:15 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.
Updated information will be provided here as it becomes available.
Current News
- St. Joseph Health has developed an online Coronavirus Assessment Tool that can help you evaluate risk factors for contracting the illness. Click here to access the tool.
- The CDC is urging a halt to gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks.
- For the health and safety of all Californians, Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented new restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Californians over 65 years old and those with underlying health conditions thave been urged to self-isolate in their homes. Bars, nightclubs, pubs and wineries have been asked to close their doors. Restaurants and movie theaters are reqired to cut their capacity in half and ensure customers are practicing social distancing.
- Most Humboldt County Schools have decided to close in response to COVID-19. A list of school closures provided by the Humbodt County Office of Education can be found here.
- As of 10:30 PM on Sunday, March 15 there were 335 Californians who have tested positive for coronavirus and 6 people who died from the virus in California, according to the state Department of Public Health.
- There are no currently confirmed or reported cases of COVID-19 in Arcata. The City of Arcata is actively working with Humboldt County health agencies to protect our community, prepare for local cases and assist in maintaining the health and safety of our region.
- Humboldt County has declared a Local Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in California and beyond. This action is expected to free up additional resources within the County and increase coordination between local, state and federal authorities working to respond to the outbreak. The emergency declaration will also support the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory, which is now able to begin on-site COVID-19 testing locally.
- The overall risk of exposure to Humboldt County residents and visitors, including Arcata, is expected to rise as community spread of the virus has reached the State of California. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. The City will continue to closely monitor the situation and is prepared to implement protocols as risk of COVID-19 exposure increases in Arcata and greater Humboldt County.
- Humboldt State University has taken many precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Following Spring Break, classes, assignments and exams are canceled Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, March 25. Classes will be taught in alternative modes starting Thursday, March 26 to Friday, April 17. The campus will remain open and all student services will be available, however all non-essential social and non-essential academic-related events and activities are suspended through Friday, April 17 and all intercollegiate and Club athletics are canceled for remainder of the spring semester.
- The Humboldt Waste Management Authority’s Eureka Recycling Center, located at 1059 West Hawthorne Street in Eureka, will be closed until further notice in an effort to slow or prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
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.
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.
For the most recent updates from Humboldt State University, please click here.
City Meeting & Program Cancellations
The City has decided to cancel most meetings, events and many programs as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- All remaining City of Arcata meetings are cancelled through the month of March, with the exception of the City Council meeting which will take place on Wednesday, March 18. Members of the community are encouraged to stay home and watch the meeting live online here or on our YouTube channel.
- Arcata & Mad River Transit (AMRTS) will reduce bus schedule hours on all bus lines. AMRTS will operate from 7 AM to 7 PM beginning, Monday March 16 through at least Tuesday, March 24.
- Arcata Recreation’s Drop-In Programs including Hula, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, Judo Hut classes and Arcata Play Center are cancelled through the month of March.
- To help protect the health of older adults in the community, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center has postponed in-house dining service until further notice, including the senior lunch program at the Arcata Community Center. As of now, all County Senior Dining Centers will be offering their Home Delivered Meal and take-out meal service. Reservations for take-out meal service is required and may be done so by calling 707-825-2027 or 707-822-7091.
- Arts! Arcata has been cancelled until further notice.
- Equity Arcata’s Home Away From Home Potluck scheduled for Sunday, March 29 has been cancelled.
More information regarding City meetings, programs and events will be provided as it becomes available.
City Facilities, Social Distancing & Bill Payment Alternatives
City Facilities Staff are dedicated to following protocol recommended by the CDC by disinfecting City Hall public and open office areas regularly, and Department staff is completing additional surface disinfection on an as-needed basis.
All members of the community are highly encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines currently recommended by the California Department of Public Health at all City facilities and public spacs.
For more information on these guidelines, please click here.
Individuals who are sick are advised to stay home and avoid City facilities and public spaces. Community members who are 65 and over or those with underlying health conditions are advised to stay home and self-isolate.
Community members are also encouraged to:
- Pay water and sewer bills online. For more information about online payments, please click here.
- Pay City bills via the City’s automated bill system by calling 707-827-1114.
- Special service requests and billing inquiries can be made by emailing finance@cityofarcata.org or calling 707-822-5951.
Reminders & Resources
Please remember these basic steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19:
- Follow the recommended guidelines on social distancing. Avoid large events, small gatherings and situations where you are in close contact with people who could be ill and not yet experiencing symptoms.This is where transmission of the virus is most likely.
- Seniors age 65 and older should stay home even if feeling well.
- Stay home if you are feeling sick or if you have a fever.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow, and throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands immediately.
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are ill.
- Do not visit senior centers or health care facilities if you are feeling ill.
- Call a medical provider and self-isolate at home if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Do not go directly to a health care provider, call first to arrange for testing.
- If you are severely ill and in need of immediate medical attention call 911 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
For more detailed information on COVID-19, including resources for individuals, employers and business owners, please click here.