Approved Minutes of September 20, 2023

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MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 20, 2023 and virtual or in a hybrid format to reach a greater proportion of the population. The team is selecting peer counties, focusing on comparing qualities such as geography, economics, and population. C. Health Directors Report Ms. Stewart presented her report to the Board. Below are brief highlights of her report. • New COVID-19 vaccine boosters have been approved and the health department has received the state supply intended for un/under-insured patients, while the vaccines for individuals with private insurance have not yet been distributed. Ms. Stewart added that the department will perform specific outreach to unhoused, sheltered, and incarcerated individuals but there will not be large-scale vaccine clinics because OCHD doesn't have the resources for something of that scale at this time. • The Opioid Advisory Committee has heard five new proposals over the past two months, and the group is splitting into two subcommittees — one to review proposals for funding recommendations, and one to prepare for the community-wide annual meeting. The first report on the use of the Opioid Settlement Funds is due on September 27th. In response to Mr. Bagby's question about whether the Opioid Settlement Fund amounts were available to the public, Ms. Stewart replied that they were available on the BOCC's website, and she would share the link with him. • Though State budget approval (and thus Medicaid expansion) has been stalled, there is a high likelihood that it will be voted on and passed by the end of the month. • Based on wastewater surveillance and hospitalization rates, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in Orange County. However, data is beginning to trend down and there has not been a spike in deaths. Dr. Rodgers suggested that the return of UNC students may have been a factor in the increase in COVID cases. Ms. Stewart also shared that OCHD staff have been asked to wear masks to slow the spread until cases are low again. • The upcoming community event, Building Community & Health, will take place on Sunday at Schley-Grange Hall from 2-4:30pm and will provide flu shots, a CPR demonstration, distribution of Narcan, and education around firearm safety and opioid and substance use disorders. • Ms. Stewart reminded the board of the upcoming Fall Educational Conference in Concord, NC, which many OCHD staff members will attend. She mentioned that staff attending the conference will still be accessible, just not physically present at OCHD. • There is a volunteer appreciation reception hosted by the BOCC on October 3rd in Whitted's Donna Baker room to celebrate board members for their service. • The next all-staff meeting will be held on Friday October 131h at Fairview Park. Board members are welcome to attend but should alert Ms. Stewart if they wish to do so to ensure there is not a quorum. • Environmental Health received a shout out from Chapel Hill Town Manager Chris Blue for their support after the fire at Mediterranean Deli in July. VIII. Adjournment A motion was made by Dr. Alison Stuebe to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m., was seconded by Dr. Bruce Baldwin, and carried without dissent. S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda &Abstracts\2023 Agenda &Abstracts/ September Page 8