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MINUTES - Draft <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> February 23, 2022 <br /> • At-home test results are not being reported. <br /> • Global recognition that COVID-19 will be endemic. <br /> • COVID-19 Response 2.0 <br /> o Early indicators of COVID-19 <br /> ➢ Wastewater surveillance <br /> ➢ Syndromic surveillance <br /> ➢ Genomic surveillance <br /> o Community Resources <br /> ➢ Testing — more at home tests available; no-cost COVID-19 tests available <br /> ➢ Treatment— monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutics are available; <br /> NCDHHS has removed the recommendation of use for high risk patients <br /> ➢ Masks — <br /> ■ Free masks are still available <br /> ■ 64,265 KN95/N95 masks were distributed; also gave masks to some of our <br /> community partners; 1,340 At-home rapid antigen test distributed <br /> o Universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer optimal. <br /> ➢ NC DHHS advised LHDs to end it for the general public in January 2022 <br /> ➢ NC DHHS advised K-12 schools and Childcare settings to end contact tracing <br /> and quarantine of asymptomatic on February 21s' <br /> ➢ Public Health will continue to manage clusters and outbreaks in high-risk <br /> settings. <br /> o CDC recommends universal masking in areas with high or substantial community <br /> transmission and the appropriate wearing of high-quality masks offers protection for <br /> those at risk. <br /> o The School Superintendents will prepare recommendations for their respective <br /> Boards of Education regarding masking. <br /> o We can continue to slow the spread if everyone follows guidance for isolation if they <br /> test positive and/or have symptoms. <br /> The BOH had questions and comments that were addressed by Ms. Stewart. <br /> E. Media Items <br /> Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager, briefly mentioned that, in addition to an article stating <br /> that Orange County leads the state with a 79% vaccination rate; most of the articles were <br /> referencing mask distribution. <br /> Media items were in the packet which focused on Orange County's events and our <br /> involvement in various efforts. <br /> VII. Board Comments <br /> Tony Whitaker, Engineering Representative, gave a brief update on the Gaines Chapel <br /> neighborhood sewer issues. He referenced the previous study that identified an "environmental <br /> injustice", some having public sewer and some not; some of the more affluent areas have sewer <br /> service and those not as affluent do not. Based on his reading of the report, he states that it's <br /> incomplete and that there is a need to know more about the data. Mr. Whitaker stated that, <br /> currently, he's in the data gathering mode. He will take this information to the Health Equity <br /> subcommittee. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda &Abstracts\2022 Agenda &Abstracts/ <br /> January Page 6 <br />