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Lansing district reports January uptick in COVID cases; immunization clinic boosts compliance
Summary
District health staff told the board that January brought a small rise in COVID cases, including one outbreak, and that a Jan. 15 immunization clinic and school-based efforts pushed immunization compliance above 95% at every school.
Dr. Wheeler, speaking for the Lansing School District Department of Health and Wellness, told the board that January brought a modest rise in respiratory illness and COVID cases across the district.
“In January, we had 34 positive student cases with 1 outbreak of 19 cases occurring at Patongill,” Dr. Wheeler said. She added that staff reported 18 cases in January and that nurses partnered with the Ingham County Health Department on an immunization clinic at the Newcomer Center on Jan. 15 that delivered 46 vaccines. “This event helped move our immunization compliance levels to more than 95 percent for every school in the district,” she said.
The district health update recapped several ongoing programs: nurses and health resource advocates delivered Michigan Model health lessons in 11 schools (topics included vaping education, respiratory hygiene and dental health). The district is operating an “accessible period project” funded by a 99 gs grant to distribute period products in school clinics and holds a public drive-up distribution at the Halleck Center. The district’s “care closet” filled more than 1,100 orders in January alone and includes an always-open urgent-needs section, Dr. Wheeler said.
Board members pressed for detail on clinical follow-up and outreach. Trustee Hurd asked what interventions address vaccine hesitancy for underserved families; Dr. Wheeler said nurses make personal contact to identify the reason a child is missing vaccines and that the district refers families to the Ingham County Health Department’s immunization division for appointments and written resources. On flu and other respiratory illness she said the district has seen a “slight uptick” and emphasized ventilation, air purifiers and masking as mitigation measures in schools.
Dr. Wheeler also described student-development and after-school programming: nearly 2,000 students participated in January offerings, and a partnership with soccer trainer Paul Chatfield brings about 80 students per day to organized activities and tutoring at the Don Johnson Field House.
Board members asked about access and equity. Dr. Wheeler said immunization and health information are shared “in multiple formats” (posters, email blasts, ParentSquare, newsletters) and that materials are circulated through the communications and technology teams to maximize reach.
The report closed with recognition of Black History Month and a reminder of continuing public clinics and resources for families.
Ending: The board received the health update for information and asked staff to continue coordinating immunization outreach with the Ingham County Health Department and to report back on measures to reach families with limited access to care.
