Board of Health

West Haven Board of Health Meeting 9 November 2021 Via: Zoom – 6:30 pm Present: Heather Shea, Chairwoman, Cebi Waterfield, Vice Chairwoman, Jean Mullins, Secretary, Kathy Tucker, member, Dr. Mohammad, member and Maureen Lillis, Director. The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Shea. The pledge of allegiance was rendered Vice Chair Waterfield motioned to table the August minutes. It was seconded by Dr. Mohammad. The motion passed. Old business: Member Tucker motioned to table the discussion of the DIB planning is tabled, due to lack of update. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Waterfield and passed. Update on Covid-19 vaccination outreach. The Health Department has been busy getting clinic up and running. There was one last week at City Hall. Another one was at the fire expo at Savin Rock that was well attended. Director Lillis read a slide presentation. West Haven’s case rate as of November 4th was 7.1%. The West Haven rate fluctuates regularly. The City had a total of 6850 Covid cases since the beginning with 122 deaths. As of this meeting 41,812 residents have been tested. The vaccine rate with all ages having received at least one dose is 67.46%. Fully vaccinated is 63.15%. That is a total of 34,491 residents. Director Lillis continued to speak on the status of booster clinics. Thirty-eight people were vaccinated at the fire expo. Some previous clinics were not well attended, if at all. She made it very clear that these clinics are not just booster clinics, but anyone having not received their first or second shot are welcome to the clinics. She indicated that these clinics were for Covid vaccines only and in influenza. The clinics are currently once a week, but more can be added, if needed. The Department is dependent on vaccinators and their availability. They are vaccinating those that are currently eligible, who are the following: Sixty-five and older, 18+ who live in long-term settings, 18+ who have underlining medical conditions and 18+ who live or work in high risk settings. The Department is offering Moderna only. They are not offering Johnson & Johnson this time around. They are going to require residents to call first in order to plan. Walk-ins really slow the process down. A clinic will be held for educators in the future. Director Lillis spoke with Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro to work on arranging a future date and time. A discussion ensued about offering vaccinations to children five and up and the best places for them to receive the vaccine.  West Haven Board of Health Meeting 9 November 2021 Via: Zoom – 6:30 pm In New Business: Director Lillis spoke about the Bridges mobile clinic. They will be in the City two days a week. One day in Allingtown and another day in another section of the City. They are offering primary care services and mental health services and addiction services. She just has to get approval for the mobile clinic to park. Chairwoman Shea mentioned that the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit and Gateway Christian Fellowship have come together in regards to the creation of a warming center in the City of West Haven. She said that she attended the meeting as a volunteer and not as a representative of the Board of Health. She spoke to Director Lillis about it, because there are some challenges considering that the warming centers fall under the Health Department. Director Lillis indicated that private warming centers are fine, but Joe Soto and she will continue to have warming centers as well, as required by State statute. A discussion ensued regarding the issue. The next meeting is the second Tuesday, 7 December 2021. The meeting ended at 7:11pm.