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Richland County HHS reinstates mask requirement after local COVID uptick; public health reports on testing and vaccination work
Summary
Richland County Health & Human Services (HHS) interim director reinstated a mask requirement for staff and visitors after an increase in local COVID-19 activity. Public health presented 2021 testing, vaccine and service data and described ongoing nutrition and outreach work.
Richland County Health & Human Services interim director Roxanne Klubertan Gerber told the board that, because of increased local COVID-19 activity, the agency reinstated a mask requirement for staff and visitors to the Health and Human Services community services building and will re-evaluate the rule next week.
The mask requirement applies to staff meeting with others in office spaces and to members of the public entering the building, Gerber said.
Public-health staff later outlined the department’s 2021 pandemic work and routine programs. Rose Cahoot, public-health director, said the department handled 7,550 COVID-19 test results in 2021 and carried out full disease investigations and contact-tracing during that year. Cahoot said public-health vaccinators delivered 4,537 vaccine doses in 2021 after staff completed federal training and attestation requirements.
Cahoot described pandemic-era changes to service delivery: tuberculosis testing done curbside, limited home visits for environmental health and prenatal work, and a phased reopening of congregate senior meal sites. Nutrition services reduced in-person congregate meals in favor of home delivery and bulk meal provision early in the pandemic, she said, and congregate attendance had not returned to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021.
Gerber also summarized current public-health operations: disease investigations continue, vaccinations and community testing support remain priorities, and the nutrition program has expanded meal options to include hot and frozen home-delivered meals and a 12-week “Rise and Dine” breakfast program that began June 8.
The board was also told the federal public-health emergency extension affects Medicaid renewals: the emergency was extended three months through September, so Medicaid coverage continuity is expected through at least October unless the federal notice changes the timeline.
The department said it will continue to monitor local COVID activity and adjust the building mask requirement as needed.
Ending: The agency plans to reassess the mask rule next week; public-health staff encouraged the board to expect continued pandemic-related service adjustments and described ongoing outreach including nutrition programming and upcoming public events.
