Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County health update: COVID visits edge up while hospitalizations decline; county announces outreach, food drive and local community wins
Summary
Monroe County public health reported a slight rise in COVID-like emergency visits but falling hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations; county leaders highlighted vaccine availability, a May 10 food drive, a rural repair program, a blood drive and local high school students winning a national STEM prize.
Monroe County public health staff told county commissioners on May 8 that emergency visits for COVID-like illness had risen slightly as of May 6, but hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations were continuing to fall.
“As of May 6, emergency visits for COVID-like illness have still increased slightly, but hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations are continuing to decrease. Flu activity is still minimal. As always, our public health clinic has vaccines available for all ages,” Miss Kelly, a public health staff member, said. She gave a clinic phone number on the record: (812) 353-3244.
Commissioners used their closing remarks to promote county outreach and community programs. The board encouraged residents to sign up for the county resident alert system on the county website (co.monroe.in.us), noted office hours held six times each month via Teams, and reminded residents of the Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 10. “Last year, more than 36,000 pounds of food were collected,” the chair said; the chair also remarked that about one in five local residents are food insecure.
County leaders said the Bloomington Foundation is managing a rural repair program for homeowners with urgent repair needs and encouraged residents to contact their trustee for limited funds. The county also announced a blood drive May 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. at IVTEC (rooms C130A and C130B); the Red Cross website was given as the sign-up location.
Commissioner Madera highlighted Bloomington High School South students who won a national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition and received a $100,000 technology prize package plus $25,000 to develop a sustainable venture for a device called Storm Shield designed to protect hearing aids during athletics and improve inclusion for athletes with hearing loss.
The board also noted a previously continued agenda item relating to a storage unit contract had been dropped because goods are now stored on county property, removing the need for that contract. The board adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. May 15 so commissioners could attend the Peace Officers Memorial event at City Hall.
