DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board of Health met May 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT

Derryl Block, RN, PhD, President

Heather Breuer, DMD, Vice President

Lizy García, Secretary

Carlos Dominguez, DVM

Erik Englehart, MD

Jessica Harrill, JD

Lorraine Daly

Anita Zurbrugg

Patricia Faivre

Paul Stromborg, MD

BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT

Rukisha Crawford

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT

Lisa Gonzalez, MPH, Public Health Administrator

Cindy Graves, RN, MSHA, Director of Community Health and Prevention & Health Promotion and Emergency Preparedness

Greg Maurice, LEHP, Director of Health Protection

Dytania Washington, MS, Director of Administrative Services

Chessa Kendrick, Administrative Support and Marketing Manager

CALL TO ORDER

The DeKalb County Board of Health meeting of May 19, 2020 was called to order at 4 pm by Dr. Block, President.

VIRTUAL MEETING GUIDELINES

Mrs. Gonzalez provided an overview of guidelines for the virtual Board of Health Meeting.

AGENDA

On a motion by Dr. Stromborg, seconded by Jessica Harrill, the Board of Health Meeting Agenda was approved. Motion carried.

MINUTES

Full Board

On a motion by Jessica Harrill seconded by Anita Zurbrugg, the Board of Health Minutes of the Meeting for January 28, 2020 were approved. Motion carried.

On a motion by Anita Zurbrugg seconded by Jessica Harrill, the Board of Health Executive Session Minutes of the Meeting of January 28, 2020 were approed. Motion carried.

On a motion by Dr. Stromborg seconded by Lorraine Daly, the Board of Health Minutes of the Meeting for March 27, 2020 were approved. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Block stated that the Personnel Committee meeting, typically scheduled in May of each year for the purpose of conducting the performance review of the Public Health Administrator, has been postponed until July 2020.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD FROM THE FLOOR

None

NEW BUSINESS

1. COVID-19 SITUATIONAL UPDATE

Ms. Gonzalez provided a COVID-19 case update in DeKalb County by date, age, zip-code, and demographics. Ms. Gonzalez also provided the number of people who have recovered and are in the recovery period.

Ms Gonzalez updated the Board regarding the current outbreak at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center. The Nursing Center currently has one employee lab-confirmed positive who is isolating at home. All employees and residents will be tested in coming days. Ms Gonzalez updated the board on the current oubreaks associated with local businesses/industry and shared that there was also a watchlist which included business with 1 identified case. Ms. Gonzalez explained the mitigation strategies initiated for all of the outbreaks and the Health Department’s role in responding.

Testing locations and criteria were discussed including details of the sites, hours, requirements, type of test, cost and whether or not an appointment is needed.

Ms. Gonzalez explained what contract tracing is and the importance. The Health Department has been doing contact tracing for decades for tuberculosis, STI’s, HIV, and other infectious diseases. The current capacity for contact tracing was discussed and the utilization of other staff to assist in contact tracing. Mrs. Gonzalez shared that IDPH had announced the release of additional funding for Local Health Departments to support contract tracing.

Ms. Gonzalez discussed HIPAA and COVID-19 and why only specific information is shared for COVID- 19 positive cases in the County. She shared that all first responders receive a Premise Alert through dispatch that would alert them to take extra precautions by using appropriate PPE when called to a specific address where a positive patient may reside. Information sharing with key stakeholders happens through virtual County Emergency Operation Center meetings twice weekly, guidance provided to various groups, weekly COVID-19 Newsletter, social service provider calls, and one on one consultations with agencies and community members.

The modified service delivery model was explained including that a portion of employees have shifted from direct program service delivery to assist with the COVID-19 response. The Health Department is utilizing a POD outside to administer immunizations to reduce person to person contact. There has been a decline in immunizations appointments and the Health Deparmetn is prioritizing what appointments are scheduled. Family Planning has seen decreased office visits but is still providing appointment for birth control, STD testing, and infection testing. WIC & Family Case Management are providing majority of service over the phone and curbside pick-up for WIC coupons. The program did announce the Health Department will need to start providing face to face appointments again in July. Vital Records is still signing off on birth and death records and providing certificates. Healthcare Enrollment and Medical Cannabis are submitting applications via phone appointments. The Health Department has implemented safety measures for staff including signage, acrylic shields, and face masks

Ms. Gonzalez explained the inventory management system purchased which will be utilized for all health department inventory once staff receive training on the system. The Health Department is the distribution hub for PPE and cloth masks which are distributed primarily to IDPH priority agencies. To date, 119,332 PPE products and 930 cloth masks have been distributed.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared information on COVID-19 funding that has been secured through local and state grants. Funding sources include the DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF), IDEAL INdutries, Illinois Deparemtn of Public Health. The DCCF Community Needs Grant allowed the Department to purchase an inventory management system and a badging and credentialing system. The DeKalb County Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund, with support from IDEAL Industries allowed for purchase of safety supplies for staff, response related supplies, PPE, and basic need items for patients. The IDPH COVID-19 Crisis fund will be used for personnel and fringe benefits, equipment, and supplies for anticipated mass vaccinations. Furture anticipated funding opportunities include Round 2 of the COVID- 19 Response Fund and the IDPH Contact Tracing Grant. Ms. Gonzalez discussed the long-term fiscal considerations of lost revenue and anticipated future expenses associated with the response.

Ms. Gonzalez discussed Restore Illinois and updated the Board as to where we are currently stand as a region. Ms. Gonzalez explained the criteria for the region to move to Phase 3. The current role of the Health Department is to provide on-going consulation with local businesses including those currently opened and those who are currently closed but planning for re-opening. The enforcement process for Restore Illinois was outlined.

COMBINED REPORT

Ms. Gonzalez explained the combined report is condensed due to the COVID-19 repsonse and summarizes the reasoning for decrease in program service numbers.

FINANCIAL DATA

On a motion by Jessica Harrill seconded by Anita Zurbrugg, the financial statements for the months of January, February, March and April 2020 were approved. Motion carried.

On a motion by Jessica Harrill seconded by Dr. Breuer, the claims for the months of February, March, April and May 2020 were approved. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. 2019 DEKALB COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

Ms. Gonzalez explained that the Annual Report was provided to Board Members and includes a more condensed version this year. The Health Department plans to distrubte the report publicly in coming weeks.

2. 2019 SOLID WASTE PROGRAM REPORT

Mr. Maurice introduced the solid waste program report and provided explanation of numbers within the report.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Dr. Stromborg seconded by Jessica Harrill, the Board of Health adjourned at 5:27 pm. Motion carried.

https://health.dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4-Minutes-2020-5-19-DRAFT.pdf