Public health staff presented the department’s August activity at the County Health Committee on Sept. 2, reporting inspections, surveillance sampling and outreach tied to school openings and community events.

Why it matters: The department’s routine inspections and surveillance identify local health risks, support school readiness and maintain vaccination coverage for children.

Key figures presented by public health staff Robin (role listed in the record as the department’s presenter) included: 29 temporary food inspections tied to community events; 14 water samples submitted (mostly for new or repaired wells), with two unsatisfactory samples that required retesting after treatment; seven new well inspections; and 36 mosquito samples submitted for West Nile surveillance. Robin noted that the mosquito sampling was the project of an intern, Logan Robinson, who began full-time employment on the day of the meeting and who will continue mosquito work through Oct. 15.

The department reported 75 childhood immunizations for back-to-school vaccinations, two animal bites that did not require treatment, a suspected varicella (chickenpox) case with the affected child and siblings staying home from school, and two tuberculosis screening steps given (primarily for nursing students). Staff also reported a new tuberculosis investigation involving a person jailed at the county facility.

Outreach and training activity included five CPR classes aimed at teachers and coaches, 12 Narcan trainings offered at a county reunion vendor booth, 17 inmate assessments at the county jail in August and 56 vision and hearing screenings related to school start-up. Senior services reported 206 people enrolled and the start of referrals to the PEARLS depression-treatment program for older adults; staff said PEARLS services are provided by remote or phone sessions and are free to referred participants.

Public health staff characterized the August workload as heavier in some areas because of back-to-school activity and a recent increase in jail-related tuberculosis work; staff committed to report further details if trends continue.

No formal committee action resulted from the report; members received the data and asked no motioned changes.