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Home My WebLink AboutM041620 • JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES April 16, 2020 Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368 Board Members Staff Members Pamela Adams,Vice Chair,Port Townsend City Council Michael Dawson,Water Quality Manager Greg Brotherton,County Commissioner,District#3 Vicki Kirkpatrick,Public Health Director Kate Dean,County Commissioner District#1 Thomas Locke,Health Officer Kees Kolff,Public Hospital District#2 Commissioner Apple Martine,Community Health Director Denis Stearns,Citizen at large Pinky Mingo,Interim Env.Public Health Director David Sullivan,County Commissioner,District#2 Veronica Shaw,Public Health Deputy Director Sheila Westerman,Chair,Citizen at large Vice Chair Pamela Adams called the April 16, 2020 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Members Present: Pamela Adams, Greg Brotherton, Kate Dean, Kees Kolff, Denis Stearns, David Sullivan, Sheila Westerman Staff Present: Michael Dawson, Vicki Kirkpatrick, Thomas Locke, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo, • Veronica Shaw APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Pamela Adams asked for approval of the agenda for April 16, 2020. Member Greg Brotherton motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Member Kate Dean. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Pamela Adams asked for approval of the minutes for the March 19, 2020 BOH meeting. Member Kate Dean motioned to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Member Greg Brotherton. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Page 1 of 4 • PUBLIC COMMENTS Zoe Ann Lamp emailed the Board to thank them, Jefferson County Public Health, Jefferson Healthcare, and the Department of Emergency Management for their coordinated efforts on the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson Healthcare Update Member Kees Kolff said Jefferson Healthcare has done a remarkable job at keeping their staff safe and prepared for a possible surge of patients with COVID-19. He also said: 1) no patients with COVID-19 have been treated in the hospital, 2) only one complaint was received regarding how they are providing information, 3) visits to the emergency room and express clinic are down, 4)the in-patient census is down, and 5)the hospital has taken an enormous financial hit to comply with state and federal guidelines to keep patients safe due to COVID-19. Vice Chair Pamela Adams shared her experience with telemedicine at JHC. Member Kate Dean asked about relief funding for the hospital. NEW BUSINESS 1. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Emergency: Situation Report, Epidemiological Modelling of Disease Activity, Local Response Efforts Dr. Tom Locke, Health Officer, said there has been extraordinary teamwork and multiagency collaboration in Jefferson County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point, there have been a total of 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. He compared the rates of transmission in Jefferson County to other counties, including King and Snohomish counties, and said the demand on hospitals is starting to drop. Dr. Locke reviewed modeling data predictions and explained why social distancing works. He said a phased approach to restarting the economy is being developed and stressed the importance of increasing testing capabilities so the rates of virus transmission can be monitored as each phase is implemented. Dr. Locke reviewed the four-phase outline and requirements for moving on to Phase II. The Board had questions about essential services,testing limitations, communicating virus transmission information of local congregate settings, and recommendations for wearing masks and gloves. 2. Environmental Public Health: Essential Food Service Establishment Outreach Efforts to Prevent Disease Transmission Pinky Mingo, Interim Environmental Public Health Director,provided an update on infection control measures implemented by local grocery stores. She said Chimacum Farm Stand is one of the best examples of a store modifying protocols to prevent disease transmission. There are various levels of compliance within the County and JCPH is working on increasing education and outreach. A letter • Page 2 of 4 specifying how to implement infection control measures will be sent to food service establishments. Next • week they will be looking at how restaurants offering take-out food are implementing practices to prevent disease transmission. The Board had questions about recommendations and protocols for sneeze guards, gas stations, self-serve and hot food stations, reusable cups, personal grocery bags, and the farmer's market. Chair Sheila Westerman read a letter from the City of Port Townsend regarding new stipulations for short- term rentals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Member Greg Brotherton said the Policy Management Group will be issuing a similar press release and conducting outreach. 3. Jefferson County Public Health: Continuity of Services,Implementation of Social Distancing Protocols Vicki Kirkpatrick, Director of Jefferson County Public Health,provided an update on measures taken by JCPH to protect employees and clients. This includes telecommuting,health checks, cross-training staff to help prevent burn-out, daily situation report meetings, reducing clinical services,providing alternatives so the Syringe Exchange Program and Plan B services can be accessed, etc. Ms. Kirkpatrick also said they expect to experience a loss of funding and are looking at ways to reduce costs and address the revenue reductions. Apple Martine, Community Health Director,provided a status update on how community health services have been modified to meet the needs of clients. Some of which includes offering telehealth for the Nurse Family Partnership program and family planning services, offering school-based health care services at the main clinic and following up with individuals on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Martine said she is participating in interagency roundtables to address behavioral health issues due to COVID -19 and trauma informed care for pandemic stress. 4. Climate Change and the Coronavirus Pandemic Dr. Locke spoke about the link between the Coronavirus and Climate Change and the effects of each on the global population. Member Kate Dean said the Climate Action Committee recently released the Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the County. She also said, although Earth Day celebrations scheduled for April 25th have been cancelled, the County and City are planning to issue Earth Day proclamations. ACTIVITY UPDATE There was no activity update. PUBLIC COMMENT Patty Charnas, Director of Jefferson County Community Development, asked Dr. Locke a question about antibody testing. • Page 3 of 4 * • AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR There was a discussion about providing time at the end of the meeting so the public could ask questions. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next Board of Health meeting will be held online as a GoToMeeting on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Pamela Adams adjourned the April 16,2020 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:38 p.m. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH e wi,owecy &Ad Awf)/z.t .e Sheila Westerman, Chair Kate Dean, Member torlYcli a/A9- &__Ze /-1-6- 4'Caelz.Le„, P. ela Adams, Vi e Chair ri Greg Brotherton, Member aiA9IA,(-(aC --te/x.ph-e)Yz;c,e,(.61, 14pat hfiCedif D.vid Sullivan, Member Kees Kolff, Membe Denis Stearns, Member Respectfully submitted J. Matter • Page 4 of 4