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Iroquois County health staff report outreach, radon kit distribution and new uses for emergency senior services funds
Summary
Health department staff told the committee they issued 92 food permits, conducted 28 tobacco compliance inspections, distributed 13 radon kits and began using an ESS grant to pay emergency food, rent and other needs for seniors.
Iroquois County health department staff reported to the Health Committee on prevention and outreach work, COVID and influenza hospitalizations, and new uses of an emergency senior-services grant.
The department distributed 92 food permits and completed 28 tobacco compliance inspections during the reported month, staff said. The department gave away 13 radon test kits this period, compared with 50 radon kits distributed last year after a larger lab fair. Staff described working with an IMH-organized lab fair and other community events to offer blood pressure checks, Narcan training and to distribute radon kits.
The committee was told there were two county residents with COVID-19 in intensive care units (transferred to Riverside and Saint Mary’s) and two influenza A patients in intensive care during the month. Staff also reported a coronavirus outbreak at a congregate facility (named in the transcript as “Flabella”). Hypertension screenings totaled eight, and staff listed eight community-outreach events, including one CPR training that included Narcan instruction and kit distribution.
On school health, staff said the department reviewed and renewed contracts with both local school districts to continue school nursing services; hearing and vision screenings rose after the December holiday period. A health educator began work on Jan. 20 (exact year not specified in the transcript) and is developing a “safe sitter” program for junior-high students to run during spring break; a date was not yet set.
Senior services were reported to include 93 people receiving assistance; staff said the department has begun to draw on an Emergency Services (ESS) grant to pay for food, emergency rent assistance and some household services including a bed‑bug treatment and a water-bill payment. Staff said they had completed required procedures to allow use of the grant funds.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about outreach partnerships and program details. No formal committee action was taken on program changes during the meeting.
The committee discussion also included routine items: registration and permit activity, planned CPR and school-based training offers, and continuing collaboration with local providers and the University of Illinois extension and other partners on outreach events.
