Board of Health

Accepted at 2.3.21 BOH Meeting January 6, 2021 Phone-Participants Jo-Ann Keegan, Chairperson William Galvin, III, Board Member Lisa Golden, Board Member Kathleen Cullen-Lutter, Board Member Erin Gendron, Board Member Joanne Belanger, HHS Director Lainnie Emond, Substance Abuse Coordinator Shawn Machado, Sr. Sanitary Code Inspector The meeting of the City of Lowell Board of Health was called to order at 6:03 PM by Chairperson Jo-Ann Keegan. 1/6/2021 - Minutes 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.I. Conference Call Log-In Information 1.II. For Acceptance: Minutes of the December 2, 2020 Board of Health Meeting Motion: To accept the minutes of the December 2, 2020 Board of Health Meeting made by Kathleen Cullen- Lutter, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. 1.III. Informational: Substance Abuse Coordinator Lainnie Emond Health & Human Services Director Joanne Belanger introduced Substance Abuse Coordinator Lainnie Emond to the Board. Ms. Emond reviewed her position and the outreach efforts of the Substance Abuse and Prevention Division with the Board. 1.IV. For Review: Tobacco Control Monthly Report submitted by Cesar Pungirum, Program Director The Board had no questions. Report accepted and placed on file. 1.V. For Review: Monthly Development Services Report submitted by Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado Senior Sanitary Code Inspector Shawn Machado reviewed the reports with the Board. The Board accepted and placed on file. 1.VI. For Review: Trinity EMS, Inc. Reports and Notifications submitted by Jon Kelley The Board had no questions. Reports accepted and placed on file. 1.VII. Communications: Various School Department Employees Relative to the Closing of Lowell Public Schools The Board had no questions regarding the communications. Accepted and placed on file. 1.VIII. Communication: from Maureen Soucy 12.22.20 The Board had no questions. Accepted and placed on file.  BOHM01062021 Page 2 1.IX. Communication: From We the People 12.11.2020 The Board had no questions. Accepted and placed on file. 2. OLD BUSINESS 2.I. Update: COVID-19 Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan spoke to the Board regarding a possible meeting with the School Subcommittee on Facilities and Transportation. Further information will be sent when a date and time is decided. HHS Director Joanne Belanger reviewed the provided documents with the Board. Upcoming vaccination clinics and changes to the Massachusetts vaccination Phases occurred. Vaccination efforts by the Lowell Health Department for Lowell First Responders occurred with clinics anticipated to begin next week. The number of possible attendees and the amount of time to vaccinate that number occurred. Chairwoman Jo-Ann Keegan inquired if there were any plans for the Commonwealth to replace the COVID Stop- the-Spread testing sites. Director Belanger indicated that the Commonwealth has expanded some of the sites and Project Beacon will be overseeing them. CARES Act funding has been extended for some efforts but the City of Lowell will not be continuing testing at this time. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 3.I. Departmental and Divisional Reports Director Belanger discussed the use of the PrepMod appointment system for COVID vaccination clinics. Discussion on the different vaccines and the various Phases and requirements of the vaccination process occurred. For the most up-to-date information on the vaccinations, Director Belanger informed the Board that Mass.gov is the website and a search should be done for "when can I get my COVID-19 vaccine". Razvan Stanescu and Cass Rohlan from UMass/Lowell were present and spoke to the Board regarding the UMass/Lowell Community and possible concerns about COVID-19 on campus as well as contact tracing efforts. Director Belanger addressed the questions and concerns expressed by the students. Chairwoman Keegan inquired if the report state daily case rate of 9,500 was correct. Director Belanger will look at the numbers. Discussion occurred regarding the infection rate and its effect on the Lowell Public Schools being closed occurred. The Board agreed that the best date to meet with the School Subcommittee would be January 25, 2021. 4. MOTION: TO ADJOURN Motion: To adjourn at 7:19 PM was made by William Galvin, seconded by Lisa Golden. All in favor. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021 AT 6:00 PM.