Winona County Community Health Board renews TB clinic agreement with Olmsted County; staff highlights free private well testing

The Winona County Community Health Board approved a five‑year renewal of a service and business associate agreement with Olmsted County to provide tuberculosis clinic services, allowing county staff to refer and treat tuberculosis cases without maintaining a separate clinic.

A county health staff member explained the agreement is a continuation of the prior contract and “just allows us access to the clinic to treat and monitor anybody that has tuberculosis without us having to maintain that resource.” The board heard that Winona County currently does not have any active tuberculosis cases.

The motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded during the meeting; the board approved the contract by voice vote.

Staff also briefed the board about public‑facing programs: Ross (public health staff) reported the county is promoting a free private-well testing program. Residents can sign up on the state website, provide their shipping information, and a test kit is mailed; staff said labs will meter kit processing based on demand and that turnaround can take about two to ten weeks. Ross also noted there is an option to apply for interim bottled water assistance for qualifying households.

Board members and staff discussed local monitoring for avian influenza and general winter respiratory illnesses; staff said the state is monitoring avian influenza in adjacent counties but no public action was required at the time.

Ending The board completed the Community Health Board agenda after approving the Olmsted County tuberculosis clinic agreement and receiving the health program updates.