Board of Health

Agenda Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., 60005 November 1, 2021 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from September 20, 2021 IV. REPORTS A. Director Update B. 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 11/1/2021 Item: Minutes from September 20, 2021 Department: Health and Human Services ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Minutes from September 20, 2021 Minutes  Minutes Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 September 20, 2021 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson VanLandeghem called the meeting to order at 6:33 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. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from May 17, 2021 A MOTION WAS MADE BY DR. MESERVEY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 17, 2021 MEETING AS CORRECTED, SECONDED BY DR. BROWN AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. IV. REPORTS A. COVID-19 Health and Human Services Update Mr. McCalister explained that in the state of Illinois, 61.5% of the population age group 12+ is fully vaccinated, 63.1% of the population age group 18+ is fully vaccinated and 77.7% of the age group 65+ is fully vaccinated. He said 94.6% of the age group 65+ has received one dose. He said that the percent fully vaccinated has a wide range across Illinois, such as DuPage County is the highest at 76.08% and Alexander County is the lowest at 20.49% for ages 18-64. Mr. McCalister said that statewide, COVID-19 vaccine breakthroughs of fully vaccinated hospitalizations is at 1,728 or 0.025% of the fully vaccinated population. He said there were 1 432 deaths or 0.006% of the fully vaccinated population, and of those deaths 54% had underlying or immunocompromising conditions. He said the data is from 1/1/21 to 9/15/21. Mr. McCalister explained that the case positivity rate for the state of Illinois is at 3.6%, its lowest point since late July. He said that Arlington Heights is within Region 10 at 4.1% on September 5 and is 2.9% today and ICU bed availability shows 11 consecutive days under the 20% threshold (18% bed availability on September 7 and 15% today). He said the number of hospital patients was 495 on September 7 and is 467 today. He said that Region 5 had no ICU beds available over the weekend. Mr. McCalister said on September 17, a new Executive Order 2021-24 was issued clearly defining the role for school’s for excluding students and school personnel due to the virus. He explained that this morning, Dr. Ezike said they are in the process of evaluating the metrics to determine when they might lift the face covering requirement. He said according to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), Arlington Heights had 67 cases reported last week, which is a 33% decrease in cases in the past 14 days. Mr. McCalister said that 68.1% of our population has a complete vaccine series, and 80.6% has at least one dose. He said regarding booster shots, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is meeting this Wednesday and Thursday to review their advisory committee recommendations that occurred this past Friday. Mr. McCalister said that if authorized, it would allow the 65 and up, as well as high risk population the opportunity to receive a booster shot of Pfizer. He said that Pfizer will seek U.S. authorization for vaccine for the 5-11-year-old age bracket soon. Mr. McCalister explained that for the first time ever, June through August the Emergency Assistance program saw a reduction in applicants. He said that in September, Social Services had an increase in applicants, predominately single mothers returning to work who are struggling to pay rent while they await their first paycheck. He said that the Illinois Eviction Moratorium has been extended to October 3, and the Federal Eviction Moratorium has ended due to a Supreme Court decision on August 26, 2021. He said that the Emergency Assistance program is still well funded between the Village, Donations and Federal CDBG-CV funds and, Social Services will be watching to see what happens if the Illinois Eviction Moratorium ends on October 3. Also, the PADS Emergency Shelter Program for the homeless only has two locations planning to open this year. He said that the shelters will not accommodate walk-in’s or unregistered guests, and has a limited amount of shelter using area hotels. He said participants must be registered and there is currently a waiting list. Ms. Sterrenberg stated that the home visit program has decreased the need for COVID-19 vaccine and Nursing Services will continue to receive referrals from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) for homebound residents needing to be vaccinated. Ms. Sterrenberg said that she has assisted the Lutheran Home and reached out to other nursing homes in the community letting them know that she can assist with vaccinating homebound residents. She explained that they are also vaccinating lower age residents with spectrum disorders, such as severe autism. Ms. Sterrenberg said that when the booster shots are released, Nursing Services will administer homebound residents and Village employees. She explained that the need for more clinics is not a high need as the vaccine is widely available. Ms. Sterrenberg said COVID-19 testing is provided to employees. 2  Dr. Meservey asked if the Fire and Police Departments are required to be fully vaccinated. Mr. McCalister stated that the Fire Department is required to be vaccinated and if employees are not vaccinated, they are required to be tested weekly. Mr. McCalister said that Police working in schools are required to be vaccinated. B. Health and Human Services Strategic Report Mr. McCalister said that in May, Health and Human Services presented the Strategic Report to the Village Board. He explained that the report has five sections, Organizational Overview, Workload & Performance Data, Key Accomplishments during the 2020 – 21 period, Review of Current and Anticipated Challenges and Potential New Initiatives to Explore in The Future. He said that the Village Board had a retreat in July and they developed strategic goals for the next two years. Mr. McCalister said the Village Board has a list of nine priorities for 2022-2023 and each department develops goals for the next two years that relate to the appropriate priorities, which are presented to the Village Manager for consideration. He said that Health and Human Services submitted seven projects for consideration. Mr. McCalister explained that the first goal is to remain focused on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and adjust to appropriate mitigation measures as determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). He said that Environmental Health Officers receive complaints and go out to businesses to follow up on complaints related to COVID-19. He said that repeat complaints without resolution get passed on to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Ms. VanLandeghem asked once the complaint is passed on to the CCDPH, will there be further follow up. Mr. McCalister said yes, there is a process with the State’s Attorney, but we are not informed of the outcomes. He also discussed that the CCDPH supplies Nursing Services with COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Meservey asked if restaurants are mandating vaccinations. Mr. McCalister said he does not have information about whether restaurants are mandating vaccinations, but Health and Human Services sent information to all restaurants advertising COVID-19 Fair Access Community Vaccination clinics at Village Hall. Mr. McCalister said that the second goal is to provide new community outreach events. Mr. McCalister said Social Services is partnering with Police and Fire. He explained that once a month they provide meals to the homeless, which helps provide the homeless population with resources available to them through Social Services. He said the Fire Department was going in resident homes installing smoke detectors, while Social Services helped with the bilingual population and shared information about programs and services. Mr. McCalister said the third goal is to host a disability awareness and sensitivity presentation to the public. He explained that the department directors/supervisors/chiefs participated in a presentation internally this year. He said that he was able to see through the lens of a person with disabilities and learn how to better communicate. The Commission for Citizens with Disabilities is working on preparing a presentation for the community. Mr. McCalister said the fourth goal is to hold a special collection waste event. He explained that the Village has an approved special waste event with Groot as indicated in the seven- 3 year contract. He said the Village can host small events each year or combine the funds and do one big event. Dr. Barnett asked what does it mean to hold a bigger event. Mr. McCalister explained that household hazardous waste events are expensive and are capped at a certain amount, and the Village can either hold multiple smaller events like latex paint only or a larger event, but limit the number of items/residents that can participate. He also explained how residents can sign up for Arlington Alert to receive updates about events occurring within the Village. Mr. McCalister said that the fifth goal is the age-friendly certification project being worked on by the Senior Commission. He explained that the Senior Commission released a survey and the outcome of the survey was to focus on affordable housing, safe and affordable transportation options and improved communication programs. Mr. McCalister said that the sixth goal is to update the Senior Center. He said that a consulting firm was hired to assist with the updates. He said that they surveyed residents asking what they would want in a Senior Center. Mr. McCalister said expanding outreach and marketing efforts of the Senior Center also came out of the survey. Dr. Meservey asked if the Senior Center has a bulletin or newsletter that people can pick up and learn more about what is available. Mr. McCalister said anyone can sign up for a fee to receive the Senior Center newsletter by mail, or newsletters can be picked up for free at the Senior Center. Chairperson VanLandeghem recognized the Health and Human Services team for the report and congratulated the department for the excellent work accomplished. She asked if there are any areas the Board of Health can support with respect to the seven goals outlined. Mr. McCalister said Health and Human Services has great programs and services, it is sometimes a challenge to get the word out within the community. He said that the federal government provided money for rent assistance and with the funds from the financial assistance donation account, he said the challenge is how to reach the people that really need help. Dr. Barnett asked if patients at Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) are given information at discharge about the programs and services offered through the Village. Mr. McCalister said he will follow up with Social Services to explore the information already in place and potential new connections that could be made to reach residents needing more services offered through the Village. Chairperson VanLandeghem asked with Arlington International Racecourse closing and the backstretch, will there be any impact on employment. Mr. McCalister said the people living there are transient and they can often move from state to state. He said they are waiting to see what happens with the sale. Dr. Meservey asked what will happen to the emergency pharmaceutical distribution location at the Arlington International Racecourse. Mr. McCalister said that the Racetrack is the primary location for emergency pharmaceutical distribution needs, but a high school is a backup location depending on what occurs with the sale of the Racetrack. 4 V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS Chairperson VanLandeghem said that Dr. William Moran will be a new member to the Board of Health after meeting with the Village Board tonight, and that she asked to increase the number of members from five to seven. She said the Mayor approved having seven members and after Dr. Moran joins, that would leave one more opening for someone to join. She explained that they would like to select someone with a mental health background. She asked for the Board to email her any potential members they can recommend, who either work or live in Arlington Heights. Ms. Sterrenberg said the Employee Flu Clinic is scheduled for September 30 and the Family Flu Clinic is scheduled for October 7 as a drive-through at the Public Works garage. Dr. Meservey asked how the drive-through clinic is managed. Ms. Sterrenberg said the consent and Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) is emailed to families who need to make appointments. Ms. Sterrenberg said years ago billing was different, but Nursing Services can only afford regular flu vaccine. Ms. Sterrenberg said she is working with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to do homebound high dose flu shots. Ms. Sterrenberg said funds from the emergency assistance could potentially be used to purchase high dose flu vaccine and she is working with Social Services to review options. Ms. Sterrenberg said Nursing Services will be at Harmony Fest and the Fall blood drive is scheduled for November. She also said Vision and Hearing screenings will start in November at Our Lady of the Wayside. Mr. McCalister asked how NCH is operating with COVID-19. Dr. Barnett said there are 17 inpatients unvaccinated with COVID-19 and two in the ICU. He said surgeries resumed last year, but some people do not want to go to the hospital for surgery due to COVID-19. He explained that the merger with Northshore has not changed operations in the current state, and Northshore allows each hospital to function as they did for now as each hospital understands their own communities. VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Other Topics for Consideration Chairperson VanLandeghem said next meeting is scheduled for 11/15/2021. After discussion, a new meeting date of 11/1/2021 was decided. Dr. Meservey asked for an update regarding the CARE program and said under 18 age group is not part of CARE, which leaves a gap. Mr. McCalister said he will speak with Nicole Espinoza and provide an update about CARE. Dr. Meservey acknowledged and thanked Mary Sterrenberg for all her hard work in Nursing Services within the community. 5 VIII. ADJOURNMENT DR. MESERVEY, SECONDED BY DR. BROWN, MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7:52 P.M. ALL CONCURRED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6