DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board of Health met Nov. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT

Heather Breuer, DMD, Vice President

Jessica Harrill, JD

Lorraine Daly

Patricia Faivre

Paul Stromborg, MD

Anita Zurbrugg

Rukisha Crawford

Erik Englehart, MD

Lizy Garcia, Secretary

BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT

Carlos Dominguez, DVM

Derryl Block, RN, PhD, President

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT

Lisa Gonzalez, MPH, Public Health Administrator

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

Erin Frye, MPH, Administrative Assistant and Marketing Manager

Greg Maurice, LEHP, Director of Health Protection

CALL TO ORDER

The DeKalb County Board of Health meeting of November 23, 2021 was called to order at 6:04 pm by Dr. Breuer, Vice President.

Mrs. Gonzalez provided an overview of the virtual meeting guidelines.

AGENDA

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

MINUTES

Full Board

On a motion by Jessica Harrill, seconded by Rukisha Crawford, the Board of Health Meeting Minutes for September 28, 2021 were approved. Motion carried.

Ad Hoc Bylaw Review Committee

On a motion by Jessica Harrill, seconded by Anita Zurbrugg, the Ad Hoc Bylaw Review Committee Minutes of the Meeting for October 14, 2021 were accepted. Motion Carried.

Nominating Committee

On a motion by Dr. Stromborg, seconded by Patricia Faivre, the Nominating Committee Minutes of the Meeting for October 29, 2021 were accepted. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Breuer shared that the committees will report under Old and New Business of tonight’s agenda.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD FROM THE FLOOR (via Zoom) *

None

PRESENTATION

COVID-19 Situational Update

Mrs. Gonzalez provided a COVID-19 Situational Update that included updated case and outbreak data for DeKalb County. She shared that as of November 23rd at noon DeKalb County had 13,384 confirmed cases and 137 deaths from COVID-19. She also shared that according to the IDPH website, DeKalb County had a positivity rate of 5.4%. Mrs. Gonzalez highlighted vaccine data available on the IDPH website comparing DeKalb County to Illinois data. She shared that the 5-11 age category showed zero for both groups as both vaccine doses need to be received to be considered fully vaccinated which will not happen for another three weeks. Mrs. Gonzalez shared that for the 65+ age group 89.4% are fully vaccinated. She shared that for the 12-17 age group 47.5% are fully vaccinated. Mrs. Gonzalez shared that it is anticipated that we will see a surge in cases in the upcoming weeks due to the holidays. She also reported, according to CDC data, that 59.5% of those 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated for DeKalb County.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that due to the continued high level of community transmission the Board of Health will continue remote Zoom meetings.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that DeKalb County is continuing to see local activity of COVID-19 including some outbreaks. She shared that in September there were classroom outbreaks in schools and the most current data shows three long term care facilities in outbreak status.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared new recommendations including the IDPH adoption of CDC recommendation for the Pfizer vaccine emergency use authorization for ages 5-11. She shared that the health department now offers the vaccine for that age group and highlighted the partnership between the health department and IEMA to provide a clinic in which approximately 120 kids were given first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations. She also shared another CDC recommendation which suggests all adults over the age of 18 receive a booster dose. She reported that the requirement for the booster is that it be at least six months after initial series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or at least 2 months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Mrs. Gonzalez shared that in a partnership with IDPH and IEMA a booster clinic was provided which resulted in over 300 vaccinations.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that the Health Department is currently offering initial vaccinations five days a week by appointment or walk-in but that pediatric and booster vaccinations are by appointment only.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared updates on funding. She shared that the FY2022 COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Grant was approved to receive additional funding and will be extended through December 31, 2022. She also shared that the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Grant was extended through March 30, 2022. Mrs. Gonzalez shared two additional grant opportunities. She shared that the first is a COVID Crisis Grant which emphasizes expanding, training and sustaining the public health workforce and that the second grant allocation will be shared at the beginning of 2022 through the IDPH Office of Disease Control.

Mrs. Gonzalez asked for any questions related to the COVID-19 update. Dr. Stromborg asked Mrs. Gonzalez if there was any data of the incidence of the breakthrough COVID cases in the community. Ms. Graves replied that it is not uncommon to see breakthrough cases and currently data is not being collected. She also stated that, in general, if the person is fully vaccinated their symptoms are less severe. Ms. Graves shared that there will be two upcoming mass vaccination clinics December 3rd and 10th, at NIU and the Health Department campus, respectively.

COMBINED REPORT

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that the CFY2022 Budget is scheduled to be reviewed on December 8th, 2021.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared the Health Department completed open enrollment for health insurance in October. She shared that there is a new HMO plan offered for 2022 for employees.

Mr. Maurice provided an update to the Board on Health Protection items. He shared that over the last three months there have been three positive cases of rabies in bats, one in Hinckley and two in Sycamore. He also shared that two of the cases had potential exposure to pets and that the pets were already vaccinated, received boosters, and would be monitored at home for 60 days for symptoms. He shared that first case was a contact with a human.

Mr. Maurice provided an update on recent parvovirus activity. He shared that Animal Control dealt with a higher than expected number of cases of Canine Parvovirus in dogs with the

majority of cases in the City of DeKalb in the area North of Lucinda and West of First St. He also shared that in September we saw a rapid decline in cases in the first half of the month, an uptick, and now a decline again.

Dr. Stromborg asked Mr. Maurice how the bats were found. Mr. Maurice replied that typically the residents call in the bats to Animal Control and Animal Control removes the bats from their homes.

Mr. Maurice shared that the Health Department completed its recycling events for 2021. He shared the last one was on October 16th for electronics, textiles, and books. He shared that they collected 273 cars worth of electronics, one ton of books, and one-half ton of textiles.

Ms. Crawford asked Mr. Maurice if there was an update on the black bear sighted in the County. Mr. Maurice relayed that best evidence from Illinois Department of Agriculture indicates that it was not likely a bear that was sighted.

Ms. Graves provided an update to the Board on the Federal Navigator Grant which began in late August. She shared that Open Enrollment for the Marketplace began on November 1st and allows enrollment up to January 15th for coverage beginning February 1st, 2022. She shared that DCHD has included advertising via bus shelters to reach the target audience. She also shared that the Health Department is coordinating with other Region 1 Health Departments to promote the availability of Navigator services. She indicated that the primary focus currently is to assist individuals and families with commercial insurance coverage.

FINANCIAL DATA

On a motion by Jessica Harrill seconded by Anita Zurbrugg, the Financial Statements for the months of September and October 2021 were approved. Motion carried.

On a motion by Rukisha Crawford, seconded by Jessica Harrill, the Claims for the months of October and November 2021 were approved. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Board of Health Roles and Responsibilities

Mrs. Gonzalez updated the Board on the current Bylaws Committee and their review process. Ms. Harrill shared that the committee are finished with discussing the Bylaws and any suggested changes will be drafted and presented to the Board members before the January 2022 Board meeting.

Dr. Stromborg asked if the proposed bylaw changes could be highlighted as to compare old bylaws and any new changes. Ms. Harrill replied that she is keeping a red-line document that would be shared.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Nominating Committee Report

Ms. Crawford presented the 2022 Board member recommendations. She shared that appointment for a fourth 1-year term for the County Board position, appointment for a first 3-year term for Dr. Kellen Bosma and appointments for second 3-year terms for Dr. Block and Ms. Harrill.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that each of the individuals named for reappointments have all agreed to serve a subsequent term. She shared that she has spoken to Dr. Kellen Bosma, a dentist who lives in DeKalb, and he has agreed to serve once appointed by the full County board in January.

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that the nominating committee also discussed Board of Health Officer recommendations for 2022. She shared that Dr. Block agreed to continue to serve as President, Lizy Garcia agreed to continue to serve as Secretary and Dr. Englehart agreed to a first term as Vice President.

Mrs. Faivre asked for a few clarifications from the September meeting. She asked if, regarding the FOIA Act, it was okay to invite other members to the orientation regardless of how long they have served. Mrs. Gonzalez agreed to reach out to the States Attorney to determine the answer to that question. Patricia Faivre also asked if there was consensus on starting an educational component of the Board of Health meetings. Mrs. Gonzalez replied that she has the list of topics but the schedule has yet to be determined.

2. 2022 Meeting Dates

Mrs. Gonzalez proposed that the Board of Health meetings continue to be the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6 p.m. beginning January 25, 2022.

3. DeKalb County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Overview

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that as a public health entity the health department has created a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. She shared that DCHD strongly encourages all employees, interns, and volunteers to receive the vaccine. She shared that the policy requires employees to adhere to workplace masking and choose to either obtain COVID-19 vaccination and provide documentation of vaccination status or obtain a negative COVID-19 test weekly and sign a vaccine declination form.

Mrs. Gonzalez emphasized that the policy follows all applicable laws. She also shared that the policy was reviewed by the DCHD Labor Attorney and shared with AFSCME Representatives prior to implementation.

Mrs. Faivre asked Mrs. Gonzalez if there has been any discussion of increasing premiums of those who refuse vaccination. Mrs. Gonzalez replied that there has not been discussion of that at this time.

On a motion by Anita Zurbrugg, seconded by Lorraine Daly, the DeKalb County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccination Policy was approved. Motion carried.

4. Recognition of Retiring Members

Mrs. Gonzalez shared that it was the last Board of Health meeting for Dr. Breuer. Mrs. Gonzalez thanked Dr. Breuer for her service.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

CORRESPONDENCE AND NEWS

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Rukisha Crawford, seconded by Dr Stromborg, the Board of Health adjourned at 6:57 pm. Motion carried.

https://health.dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6-Minutes-2021-11-23-DRAFT.pdf