01/06/2022 BOARD OF HEALTH Minutes

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V ki Tobin of Aagbpee BOARD OF HEALTH 16 GREAT NECK ROAD NORTH MASHPEE, MASSACHUSETTS 02649 s�* (508) 539-1426 * Fax (508) 477-0496 Public Health Prevent. Promot(;. Prox!c". BOARD OF HEALTH - PUBLIC SESSION Mashpee Town Hall — Ockway Meeting Room Minutes of the Meeting of January 6, 2022 Board Members Present: Member Absent: Also Present: Brian Baumgaertel, Chair Glen Harrington, Health Agent Ernest Virgilio, Vice-Chair Christine Willander,Asst. Health Agent Kripani Patel, Clerk Chair Brian Baumgaertel called the Board of Health meeting to order at 6:05 PM. OLD BUSINESS 1. COVID-19 Update. Ms. Willander commented that on January 5, 2022, the County had 444 new cases, the single highest number of cases reported since the pandemic began. There were approximately 57 people hospitalized with COVID-19 at Cape Cod and Falmouth Hospitals, seven of which were in ICU. Mashpee had 104 cases in isolation as of that afternoon, and the percent of positivity was 8.5% as of Christmas Day. The World Health Organizations considers an outbreak contained when it is under 5%. While unsettling, we expected to see high numbers at the height of the post-holiday surge, so we are advising the public not to panic. The vaccine is effective at providing protection against the virus, and is proving to be highly effective at minimizing the severity of symptoms, and reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths. We are urging residents to get vaccinated/boosted, to wear a mask around others,and to practice social distancing and frequent hand-washing as ways to protect themselves against the virus. We are seeking clarification from MA DPH on testing timelines for symptomatic individuals,and new isolation and quarantine timelines There is a new "Stop the Spread" test site opening at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. More information is forthcoming. We are holding our 2°d of two pediatric vaccine clinics, on January 8 t h at Christ the King Parish Hall, where every child, ages 5 to 11, who received their first dose will receive their 2 n d dose of Pfizer. Mashpee Board of Health has coordinated a booster clinic through the VNA, which is scheduled on Tuesday,January 11th from 12-2:00 PM. Board of Health staff have completed many registrations over the phone for seniors who do not have access to computers. Additionally,we continue to send the names and contact information for homebound residents to the VNA. The FDA just approved an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer booster for 12-15 years of age, and MA DPH announced that they are in the process of updating this information on their website. The Town website is being updated as new information and guidance are released. Chair Baumgaertel stated that he felt the Board of Health should return to virtual meetings, and that a recommendation should be sent to the Town Manager that all boards and committees go to virtual meetings. Board members agreed, and Mr. Harrington agreed to notify the Town Manager of that recommendation.