Harnett County Board of Health Minutes of Regular Meeting July 15,2021  The Harnett County Board of Health met in regular session on Thursday, July 15, 2021 in the Health Department Board Room, Harnett County Governmental Complex, 307 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd., Lillington, North Carolina. A virtual Board of Health meeting using audio conference call was held for the July 15, 2021 meeting. Due to COVID-19 the Board ofHealth meeting was not open to members of the public to attend in person however, citizens were provided options to listen to the meeting. Only Public Health staff necessary to conduct the meeting or to speak on scheduled agenda items were in attendance. As the Board demonstrated compliance with State law and Members present by conference call: Ms. Amy Allen, RN, Vice-Chairwoman, Dr. Amanda Langdon, DVM, Ms. Barbara McKoy, Dr. Catherine Evans, DDS, Dr. Kim Members present: Dr. Laura Smith, Chairwoman and Mr. John Rouse, Jr., Health Others present: Mary Jane Sauls, Oliver Tolksdorf, Debra Harris-Hawkins, Gail  prudent public health practices.  Fowler, PhD and Ms. Gayle Adams.  Director.  Hobbs, and Ainsley Johnson.  Chairwoman Smith called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Announcements - Mr. Rouse announced the Harnett County Board of Commissioners: voted to restore public access to county offices and public meetings effective immediately. Mr. Rouse discussed holding the September 16, 2021 Board of Health meeting in-person at the Harnett County Health Department or the Governmental Commons to allow for social distancing. The Board members will discuss again prior Consent Agenda - Minutes = Motion made by Ms. Gayle Adams for the May 20, 2021 minutes to be approved as presented and seconded by Ms. Barbara McKoy. Consider additions and deletions to the published agenda - None made. Public Comment - Period of up to 30 minutes for informal comments allowing 3 minutes for each presentation - Chairwoman Smith opened the floor for informal comments by the public, allowing 3 minutes for each presentation up to 30 minutes. Citizens were allowed to call in and provide their public comments verbally during this period. No one called in and no public comments were received. Chairwoman Smith  tot the September meeting.  Motion Carried.  closed the informal comments.    Page 2 Board of Health July 15, 2021  Harnett County Health Department Board Room  Debt Setoff- Mr. Rouse reported that since the last meeting, the Debt Setoff program has collected an additional $909.18 and the collection year to date total is $4,621.48. State of the County Health Report (SOTCH) - Debra Harris-Hawkins presented the 2021 State of the County's Health Report (SOTCHR) copies were provided. The Health Department is required to update the community health assessment with an interim "State of the County's Health" report annually. State of the County Health Reports (SOTCHS) are due in years when a community health assessment is not submitted. The purpose of the report is to demonstrate that the Health Department is tracking priority issues identified in the community health assessment, identifying emerging issues, and shall identify any new: initiatives. Harnett County's most recent community health assessment/CHA) was completed in 2019. We are continuing to use the data of the CHA in our work. Along with the CHA our efforts include the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to address Public Health problems based on the results of community health assessment activities and is one step in a process to improve community health. Community health improvement plans must follow within six months of the CHA submission. SOTCH includes progress made on each CHIP evaluation measure. The report has been submitted to our state office as well. The report will be shared and disseminated to stakeholders, community partners and the general population. The report will be posted on the Health Department's website and links provided on social media sites along with traditional media through  local newspaper.  Strategic Plan - Debra Harris-Hawkins reviewed the 2020 Strategic Plan Status Report, copies of the report were provided within the Board of Health packets. The intent behind the strategic plan for the Health Department is to have a document that will bring focus and direction to the work of the department. The strategic plan has elements directed at both the operations of the Health Department and its efforts to improve the health of the community. The Strategic Plan Status Report is meant to highlight some of the work that has been completed to advance the Health Department's Strategic Plan, from the beginning ofi its implementation on through the end of 2020. Throughout this report, programs and initiatives will highlight progress that has been made in addressing health issues identified in the Strategic Plan. We will continue to work towards maintaining the successful public health programs, services and organizational improvements that we have achieved, and we will work to meet the current needs of a changing community. The Strategic plan along with evidence ofi implementation of the strategic plan was presented with the report. The report provides a record of annual updates with results achieved for each year. We do recognize that the plan will need to be revisited and amended to stay current and on    Page 3 Board of Health July 15, 2021  Harnett County Health Department Board Room  track. It is our plan for the November meeting to provide the 2021 Strategic plan  report.  Health Director's Report and Program Reports - Mr. John Rouse, Jr.  Best of1 Harnett County - Mr. Rouse announced the Daily Record Best ofH Harnett awards. Harnett County Health Department received bronze for Best Pediatrician office and received silver for Best Medical Facility. Ashley Pope, LPN received gold COVID-19 Updates - Mr. Rouse announced the most recent total of COVID-19 cases in Harnett County, with 12,191 confirmed cases and 183 deaths. Average age range is 1 week - 101 years old and the average age is 39 years old. The Health Department has seen an increase in cases this week compared to last week, with 96 cases reported this week as of July 15, 2021. The state has reported an average of 95% of COVID-19 cases are the Delta Variant. COVID-19 cases for June 2021 are an average of 86% unvaccinated people; 12 cases are breakthrough cases (those who are fully vaccinated) and the remainder of cases are those who have received at least one vaccine. COVID-19 vaccinations are available every day of the week in the Health Department's clinics and weekly at the mass vaccination site in the Governmental Commons. The Health Department collaborated with Emergency Management and Harnett County Schools this week and held a vaccination clinic to increase vaccination to the adolescent population at Overhills High and Overhills Middle School on Tuesday, July 13th and at Harnett Central Middle and Harnett Central High on Accreditation - Mr. Rouse announced the Accreditation timeline for collection ofdata/records is now 6 years instead of 4 years. Last year and this year, the Health Department received an extension. The Health Department's reaccreditation visit will take place during the fall of 2023.  1st place for Best Nurse.  July 14th, with 31 vaccines given.  FY2021-22 County/State Budget - Mr. Rouse stated the county budget has been approved and he will bring the final year-end report to the September meeting. Environmental Health has been approved in the budget for a new Food & Lodging position; the position will be available for hiring in January 2022. The state budget has released their budget for the new year, the House and Senate are expected to complete the budget process in August 2021. The new state budget will have an increase of communicable disease funds for health  departments.    Page 4 Board of Health July 15, 2021  Harnett County Health Department Board Room Clinical Reports - Ainsley Johnson  COVID-19 - The amount of COVID-19 vaccinations given to date are a total of 23,679 doses, this includes first and second doses. The Health Department has transferred approximately 9,000 doses to community partners to increase vaccinations in our county. Currently we are administering Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson' 's Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine demand has continued to decrease, during May 2021, the Health Department administered 773 vaccines and during June 2021, 567 doses were administered. So far, for July 2021, 234 doses have been administered. Walk-ins are allowed at the vaccine clinics. During July 2021, we have averaged 17 new cases per day. The Health Department has seen an increase of cases this week compared to last week; with 65 cases last week and sO far this week with 76 cases reported. The county's last COVID-19 reported death was on June 29, 2021. Currently the county has one active outbreak. The Health Department staff and Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) staff continue to perform case investigations. Child Health - Child Health (CH) is continuing to provide well child physicals and immunizations. The CH clinic staff are calling patients and encouraging them to schedule well visits and vaccines prior to back to school. The CH clinic has increased car seat check appointments and have two staff members attending a car seat training for special needs children in August. We are planning to restart our Welcome Baby program this fall, and staff are going to attend refresher training in preparation. CH numbers have been consistent at 105 visits for the month of June 2021. In the well clinic, 86 well child visits were seen, and immunization clients increased for the month of June 2021 with 162. COVID-19 vaccines are offered daily in our immunization clinics. Employee Clinic County Employees are continuing to utilize the clinic for acute care visits and immunizations. Employee clinic numbers increased to 107 Adult Health - Family Planning (FP), Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), and Prenatal (PNC) numbers have overall increased since the May 2021 meeting. As part of Quality Improvement (QI) in our PNC, the "First Steps" program staff are utilizing IPADs to provide client education. Sessions available for viewing at each visit include birth defect prevention, health pregnancy tips and tips for getting active during pregnancy, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and gestational diabetes. If a client completes 4 sessions, they receive a "healthy beginnings" t-shirt. The Health Department staff are also administering COVID-  visits for the month ofJune 2021.  19 vaccines daily in our general clinic.    Page 5 Board of Health July 15, 2021  Harnett County Health Department Board Room  Communicable Disease (CD) and STD - The STD clinic has had an increase in syphilis cases this quarter. In the month of June 2021, the Health Department had 10 new cases to report. The CD nurses are working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) to ensure all cases and all contacts are adequately treated and educated regarding this infection. Other STD numbers have decreased this month from 54 cases to 51. Currently the Health Department has 1 active tuberculosis case in the county. The CD nurses are providing daily directly  observed therapy (DOT) for the case.  Preparedness - The Health Department's Preparedness Coordinator continues to work with the COVID-19 team to investigate outbreaks and cases. We will begin working with On Target Preparedness to plan influenza vaccination events this fall, and plan to resume the Hepatitis A outreach program in August 2021. This program allows the Health Department to provide state supplied Hepatitis A vaccination to persons who meet one or more high-risk criteria. This allows the Health Department to provide Hepatitis A vaccination at the Harnett County Detention Center and outpatient treatment centers. Currently Harnett Flu Update - The North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch issued the June 2021 influenza-like illness report showing the geographic spread continues to be sporadic. For the week ending June 26th, the state lab processed 35 influenza specimens with none testing positive for flu. The 2020- 2021 flu season (September 27, 2020 through June 19, 2021) resulted in 7: flu associated deaths statewide compared to the 2019-2020 season that resulted in 186 flu associated deaths (reference: Respiratory Disease Surveillance Environmental Health = Oliver Tolksdorf: reported Onsite Wastewater has continued to remain busy with new construction in many parts of the county. July 1, 2021 started a: new inspection cycle for Food & Lodging. Environmental Health office staff continue to distribute mosquito briquettes to the public Aging & Case Management - Mary Jane Sauls reported The Division on Aging still has fans available for Harnett County residents who are 60 years old and older or for individuals younger than 60 years old with a qualifying disability, and have a home situation where a threat to their health and well-being exists.  County has a: rate of 2.9 cases per 100,000.  Summary - https//lu.nedhhs.gov/data.htm).  during office hours.    Page 6 Board of Health July 15, 2021  Harnett County Health Department Board Room  The newest volunteer station staffed by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is the Harnett County Resource Center and Library. RSVP volunteers greet guests to the new building and offer information and directions. The Division on Aging is hosting a Back to School Supply Drive July 8, 2021 through August 9, 2021 for children in the Grandparents raising Grandchildren program. They are accepting backpacks, pencils, markers, notebooks and  monetary donations.  Marketing/Communty Outreach - Debra Harris-Hawkins announced "Eating Healthy with Diabetes" program helps teach that managing blood sugar is the key to living well with diabetes and eating well is the key to managing blood sugar. The lunch and learn will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 in the Governmental Complex Commons from 12pm-lpm, registration is required and  lunch will be provided.  Closed Session - There was no need for closed session.  New Business = Chairwoman Smith opened the floor for New Business. Being none  Chairwoman Smith closed New Business. Chairwoman Smith adjourned the meeting.  Respectalysubmited, GOYy John Rouse, Jr. Health Director  eg