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Health department hires community health manager; reports "pockets" of seasonal disease and highlights CPR program
Summary
Flathead County Public Health reported a new community health manager hire, said recent illness occurrences were local pockets rather than outbreaks, noted animal-shelter staffing improvements and emphasized ongoing county CPR training.
Jennifer Rinkowski, director for the Flathead County Public Health Department, updated commissioners on staffing, communicable-disease activity and outreach programs.
Rinkowski said the department hired Rose Hash as community health manager; Hash is local and began last week. The department is preparing for union negotiations and upcoming budget work, Rinkowski said. She also reported staffing at the animal shelter is improved, though one resignation had been received and applications were in process.
On disease surveillance, Rinkowski said the county has seen "pockets of disease" — localized increases in influenza, norovirus and pertussis cases in congregate settings such as nursing homes and day cares — but no wider off-site outbreak. She told commissioners this seasonal pattern is expected in winter months.
Rinkowski highlighted the department's continuing training programs: county-run CPR classes and "Stop the Bleed" instruction are offered to county departments at cost or the cost of cards, and she shared an anecdote about how an individual credited county CPR training with helping save a family member's life.
Rinkowski also said the department is catching up on land-related requests and is preparing for groundwater monitoring activity, reminding property owners of those upcoming requirements.
