Board of Health

Agenda Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room-33 S. Arlington Hts. Rd., AH February 28, 2022 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from November 1, 2021 IV. REPORTS A. Social Services Update B. Director Update C. Nursing Services Update V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Future Topics for Consideration VIII.ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact David Robb, Disability Services Coordinator, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005, (847)368-5793 (Voice), (847)368-5980 (Fax) or drobb@vah.com.  Board of Health 2/28/2022 Item: Minutes from November 1, 2021 Department: Health and Human Services ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Minutes from November 1, 2021 Minutes  Minutes Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 November 1, 2021 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson VanLandeghem called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. II. ROLL CALL Present Also Present Karen VanLandeghem, Chairperson James McCalister, Commission Liaison Sean Barnett, M.D. Mary Sterrenberg, Supervising Nurse Kristen Brown, M.D. Melissa Jacobsen, Administrative Assistant Jerome Meservey, M.D. William Moran, M.D. The Board welcomed new member Dr. William Moran and all present introduced themselves. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from September 20, 2021 A MOTION WAS MADE BY DR. MESERVEY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 MEETING AS CORRECTED, SECONDED BY DR. BARNETT AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. IV. REPORTS A. Director Health and Human Services Update Mr. McCalister said that the case positivity rate has increased slightly in eight regions across the State in the past week. He said the statewide case rate has changed from 114 per 100,000 to 122 per 100,000 and State case positivity rate is currently 1.8%. He explained that at the last meeting on September 20, 2021 the case positivity rate was at 3.6%. 1 Mr. McCalister said that Arlington Heights is within Region 10 and the current test positivity rate is 1.9%. He said that at the last Board of Health meeting September 20, the test positivity rate was at 2.9% and 4.1% on September 5. He said Region 10 ICU bed availability was at 17% on the October 28 and 15% on September 20. He explained that there were 467 hospital patients with COVID-19 in Region 10 when the Board of Health last met on September 20, and currently there are 318 patients as of October 28. Mr. McCalister said the State is 47 weeks into vaccinations and Region 10 currently has the highest vaccination rate. Mr. McCalister explained that statewide vaccination rates for one dose as of October 26 is 87.76% for age 65+, 72.48% for age 18+ and 71.21% for age 12+. He said according to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), Arlington Heights had 84 cases reported last week, which is a +15% change in confirmed cases in the past 14 days. He said 70% of the population in Arlington Heights has had the complete vaccine series and 83.6% has received at least one dose. Mr. McCalister said that since the Board of Health last met, booster shots were approved for Pfizer, Moderna and J&J for certain at-risk populations. He said Nursing Services is checking with Village staff to determine the interest in receiving Pfizer booster shots. He said the State is trying to make sure booster shots are available at all long-term care facilities before Thanksgiving, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) mobile teams are available if a facility does not have a plan. He said Pfizer is seeking authorization for vaccine for the 5-11 year old age group and it is expected that approval will come very soon. He said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be reviewing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendation tomorrow and Wednesday. He said Illinois will have 540,000 doses of vaccine available for that age range. Mr. McCalister said that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and IEMA are working on school and community vaccination clinics. He said if requested, Nursing Services would participate in local clinics. He explained that on the IDPH conference call this morning, they said studies have shown the side effects to be much less frequent in ages 5-11 years old. Mr. McCalister said that the Governor Pritzker has released an Executive Order requiring all day care workers to be vaccinated or do weekly testing. He said that they are required to have their first dose by December 3 and second dose by January 3. He explained that the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. said that its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the virus, and that they would soon ask health officials in the U.S. to authorize its use. Dr. Moran asked if there is comparison data between the regular flu season and whether COVID-19 will be similarly seasonal as well. Mr. McCalister said he is not aware of information related to COVID-19 becoming a seasonal illness but going into the winter months with windows closed, positive cases may rise. 2 Mr. McCalister said that the Illinois Eviction Moratorium ended October 3. He explained that Social Services provided more financial assistance in October than they have since May. He said that in May, Social Services provided $6,929.42 in assistance and in October 5,472.07 in assistance. Mr. McCalister said that the Public Document Destruction Event at the Arlington International Racecourse was held on October 9 and the department collected from 417 vehicles. He said recycling is making a comeback as it relates to pricing. He said that November 15 is America Recycles Day and Health and Human Services has been working with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) to promote what can and can’t be recycled. Mr. McCalister said that the 18-month pilot program with Verify Dispensary is about to expire. He explained that at the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting in November 2020, the Village Manager said it was expected that $500,000 might be received annually from the new 3% local tax on cannabis sales. Mr. McCalister said he should have more information on this at the next Board of Health meeting. Mr. McCalister said staff is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the Village’s Emergency Operations Plan. He explained that Health and Human Services has three primary annexes in the plan and they are Public Health, Shelter and Welfare. He said the Department also has five secondary annexes, which include Emergency Medical Service, Medical Examiner Service, Evacuation, Transportation and Terrorism. Mr. McCalister said that they will be conducting a senior staff, Table Top Exercise in December and a two-day Emergency Operations Center (EOC) training exercise in February 2022. Mr. McCalister said the Health and Human Services proposed budget will be reviewed by the Village Board at a COW meeting next Monday night. There are no significant changes to the budget this year. The proposed budget request is for $2,530,700, including the Senior Center. Mr. McCalister said that the CARE Program has served 300 people since its inception in June 2019. He said participants must reside in Illinois, have a desire to seek treatment voluntarily, and the program serves all ages, including those under age 18. He explained that there are two partner agencies, Live4Lali and OMNI, that provide the following services: assessment, treatment navigation, peer recovery support, case management, accompaniment, emergency treatment, and initial Mediation Assisted Treatment (MAT). He said that Nicole Espinoza has created a monthly collaborative meeting between Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) Behavioral Health staff, NCH Emergency Room staff, and the NCH EMS Administrative Director and System Coordinator. He said that the Villages of Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, and Palatine attend via staff from social services, the fire department and police departments. He said Adult Protective Services (APS) from Catholic Charities and the Kenneth Young Center are also in attendance, and Ms. Espinoza has provided the CARE brochure to all the entities. He said the CARE Program 3  received word that the IEMA Budget Committee will be recommending the Village receives $99,429 for the 2021-2022 grant timeframe (11/1/2021 – 6/30/2022). Chair VanLandeghem asked if the Village will receive funds from the American Rescue Plan for mental health treatment. Mr. McCalister said Social Services received federal funds for counseling subsidy and rent assistance for individuals impacted by COVID-19. Mr. McCalister said he can find out if American Rescue Plan funds were allocated to the Village. B. Nursing Update Ms. Sterrenberg said the home visit program has decreased for first and second COVID-19 vaccination requests but calls for boosters are likely to begin. She said 68 employees have notified Nursing Services that they are interested in receiving a COVID-19 booster. Ms. Sterrenberg was able to get vaccine from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) previously. She said since January, 510 patients have been vaccinated with a total of 937 shots. She said currently flu vaccine has been administered and also the high dose flu vaccine has been provided to homebound patients with no charge thanks to emergency funds received from Social Services. Dr. Moran suggested partnering with NCH to administer high dose flu to allow insurances to be billed and cover costs. Ms. Sterrenberg said she can ask NCH if they can partner to provide the high dose flu vaccine. Dr. Moran asked if vaccinations are recorded anywhere. Ms. Sterrenberg said vaccines administered are recorded in the State system, ICARE. Dr. Moran will follow up with NCH to see about assisting with high dose flu to home visit patients and billing insurance. Ms. Sterrenberg said Harmony Fest went well and Nursing Services provided blood pressure screenings. She said Vision and Hearing Screenings will begin at Our Lady of Wayside. She said the Family Flu Clinic drive through was completed in October. Dr. Brown asked if families were charged for the drive through flu clinic? Ms. Sterrenberg said employees were free and families of employees were charged $10.00. Dr. Brown asked if the Village will host a COVID- 19 children vaccination clinic. Ms. Sterrenberg said Nursing Services would be happy to help but she does not think there will be enough volume to meet the ordering requirements. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Chair VanLandeghem shared that the Board of Health has increased to seven members from five and they are currently seeking two open positions. Mr. McCalister said a mental health services background would be valuable. Dr. Moran said he may have a referral and will report back to the Board with an update. Dr. Brown said she is aware of someone and will follow up as well. Chair VanLandeghem said she will collect referrals from the Board and send to Mayor Hayes. 4 VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Other Topics for Consideration Mr. McCalister said Nicole Espinoza will be invited to the next meeting to provide an update about the CARE and Financial Assistance Programs. Mr. McCalister said he will also provide an update about the cannabis pilot. Chairperson VanLandeghem said she will share any new updates about new members and asked Dr. Brown and Dr. Moran to send her the potential referrals for the next meeting. She said the next meeting is scheduled February 21, 2022. VIII. ADJOURNMENT DR. MORAN, SECONDED BY DR. BARNETT, MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7:32 P.M. ALL CONCURRED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5