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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-23 Board of Health Minutes North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday—April 23, 2020 VIRTUAL MEETING Present: Frank MacMillan,Joseph McCarthy,Patrick Scanlon,Michelle Davis,Brian LaGrasse,Stephen Casey Jr,Caroline Ibbitson and Toni K.Wolfenden. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting called to order at 7:01 pm. Chairman Frank MacMillan read the following statement: Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12,2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law,G.L.c.30A, Section 18,and the Governor's March 15,2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place,this meeting of the North Andover Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town's website,at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.ore. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted,but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time,via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so,despite best efforts,we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript,or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate in public hearings please email your question/comment prior to or during the meeting to blaerassena,northandoverma.¢ov The question/comment will be read during the proceedings and responded to accordingly. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting Minutes from March 26,2020 presented for signature. Motion made by Joseph McCarthy to approve the minutes,motion seconded,all were in favor and the minutes were approved.(4-0-0) III. NEW BUSINESS A. Emergency Order for Employees of Grocery Stores and other Food Retailers Pursuant to the North Andover Board of Selectmen's declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2020,and in accordance with M.G.L.c. 111, Section 31,310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations,the Board of Health of the Town of North Andover,in order to take additional measures to protect the public health during the COVIDI9 public health emergency 2019 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 1 of 4 Board of Health Members:Dr.Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,MD,Chairman/Town Physician;Joseph McCarthy,Member/Clerk; Michelle Davis,RN,Member;Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member;Patrick Scanlon,DO,Member Health Department Staff: Brian LaGrasse,Health Director;Stephen Casey Jr.,Health Inspector;Caroline Ibbitson,Public Health Nurse;Toni K. Wolfenden,Health Department Assistant in light of current conditions,including an expected surge in COVIDI9 cases,hereby order the following,with respect to retailers and grocery stores operating within the Town of North Andover: All employees of all grocery stores and other food retailers open to the public shall wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose. This can be satisfied by using a disposable mask or cloth covering such as a fabric mask,scarf,bandana or other covering that covers the mouth and nose. For guidance on making your own facial covering,please see the Making your own Mask document from the Health Department. This order is effective beginning April 24,2020 at 12:01AM and shall remain in effect until the Board of Health in its judgment determines that the public health emergency no longer exists and terminates the order. To the extent necessary,this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials,North Andover Police Officers,and North Andover Building Inspectors. MOTION made by Patrick Scanlon.Motion seconded by Joseph McCarthy.All were in favor and the motion was approved.(4-0-0) IV. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. Brian LaGrasse updates the Board of Health on the departments continued efforts on fighting COVIDI9. As of April 23,2020 at 4:30 pm,the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has 46,000 positive cases of COVIDI9. The Town of North Andover has over 120 positive cases. According to the predictions,the state and town should be nearing peak soon but it has not plateaued. Lawrence General Hospital and Holy Family Hospital each had 18 of their ICU beds full. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has about 10%capacity left in ICU beds. Testing is increasing,with supplies being more readily available. Transmission rate for COVIDI9 is designated at 1.25,for every one person infected;it is transmitted to one and a quarter people. Early in the epidemic,the transmission rate or R value was 4 and 5,where one person was spreading COVIDI9 to 4 or 5 other people. This was before social distancing and wearing of masks. This causes the bell curve to go straight up,resulting in the exponential acceleration of the disease. The next phase is contact tracing. If we can do better contact tracing as a state,we can limit the number of people being infected and reduce the transmission rate number to below one. We are still a ways away from overall antibody testing. The Federal Drug Administration(FDA)has not approved any type of platform. Currently,the FDA is actually trying to find out how long it takes a patient to build up antibodies when infected,and,how long it lasts in the bloodstream once the infection is gone. Brian is waiting on information from Dr.Zapalla;who is opening a drive-through testing site at the Andover Doctors Park. He is waiting for site approval from the Department of Public Health. The National Guard is available to do testing at long-term care facilities for residents and staff members. Brian continues to have open discussions with long-term care facilities about their procedures,personal protection equipment(PPE)and reporting. Caroline lbbitson has been in contact with the state epidemiologists that are handling the long-care facilities to get input and insight on how to best support them during this process. The Health Department has received an order of facemasks from Massachusetts Emergency Management Association(MEMA). These masks have been given out to local companies,and support agencies. Facemasks and shields have been donated from Sarro Manufacturing located in Newton,New Hampshire. These shields have been distributed to the volunteers working the food donation program. A personal service announcement was completed on Proper Mask and Glove Use on NorthAndoverCAM. One-way walking signs have been placed at the common and the track. Negative feedback has been received but limiting people's exposure on face-to-face contact out weighs the response. Discussion with other communities continues about semipublic pools,camps,golf courses,boating and all other outdoor activities that will be coming up this time of year. At this time,no decisions have been made. Calls on questions and complaints continue to come to the department on residents and businesses. One question was about cats and the ability for them to catch COVIDI9. At this time,there is no indication or evidence that it can transmit from a feline to a human. Currently,the town has 137 COVIDI9 cases, 80 are recovered and out of isolation,and seven deaths. Caroline and town school nurses are assisting with contact tracing. The nurses focus on the period of 48 hours before being symptomatic. They also inquire if the positive cases are healthcare providers. If they are,the people they were in contact with are put into quarantine. Twenty-five communities are using the contact tracing,with 1900 volunteers who are helping. Local boards of health continue to work cases especially the ones that are complex like the long-term care facilities. By May 11,all of Massachusetts will be able to use the state run service. Caroline continues to work with epidemiologists and long term facilities. Stephen Casey has North Andover Board of Health Meeting Minutes Thursday—April 23,2020 VIRTUAL MEETING been following up and checking in with grocery stores. He takes in and responds to complaints and/or calls as needed. He has been inspecting the common,Memorial Park and other fields in town to ensure social distancing. With the warm weather arriving,Stephen has been drafting information on pools. He has written public service announcements(PSA)on Exercising in Public. Brian LaGrasse drafted a PSA on Food Safety during Power Outages. Stephen continues to keep in touch with restaurants as needed. Patio seating and Outdoor seating,due to COVIDI9,is considered on premise consumption of food and drink and is not allowed at this time. Stephen also assists Deanna Lima,Community Support Coordinator with food deliveries. The Health Department has been receiving supplies of PPE from MEMA. This has been dispersed to long term care facilities,the police department and fire department. At this time,camps are still closed with no firm dates to open. Rapid COVIDI9 test results can be received in under 10 minutes for a positive result and up to 15 minutes for a negative result. If the test is sent to a lab,the results will be received in 24 to 48 hours. Rapid test sites are located in Lowell run by CVS,AFC Urgent Care and Lawrence General Hospital and Holy Family Hospital. The benefit of wearing a surgical mask is to protect the patient from the surgeon. By using a mask properly,you hold it and put it on by the ear loops or the straps. Keep your hands away from the cloth/disposable fabric,so you do not contaminate the cloth/disposable fabric or contaminate your hands. By putting a mask on,any secretions a person has from the respiratory tract is caught by the mask and will not affect people around them. Joseph McCarthy has asked Frank and Patrick about patients delaying care. Currently,there has been a delay in elective procedures and patients are reluctant to come into the office to receive care. Video conference calls and telephone calls is a positive way for doctors to connect with patients. Non-urgent procedures are pushed back. Most of the cases of COVIDI9 have been in institutions,nursing homes,prisons,and group homes. There are many vulnerable people in these places and have seen the highest death tolls. The asymptomatic person in the community can be spreading it to somebody who is vulnerable. The average age was 81 years on March 26,2020 the average age is now lowered to the mid to upper 70's. Currently,there is data about COVIDI9 patients benefitting from being placed in the prone position. This allows gravity to open up the lungs. Corona patients are being divided into two types of groups. The groups are divided by lung compliance or how stiff the lungs are and oxygen responses. Dr. Scanlon has asked some of his ICU patients to self-prone,which has shown positive results however,it is experimental. 2019 North Andover Board of Health Meeting Page 3 of 4 Board of Health Members:Dr.Francis P.MacMillan,Jr.,MD,Chairman/Town Physician;Joseph McCarthy,Member/Clerk; Michelle Davis,RN,Member;Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member;Patrick Scanlon,DO,Member Health Department Staff: Brian LaGrasse,Health Director;Stephen Casey Jr.,Health Inspector;Caroline Ibbitson,Public Health Nurse;Toni K. Wolfenden,Health Department Assistant V. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Joseph McCarthy to adjourn the meeting.Michelle Davis seconded the motion and all were in favor.The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm. Prepared by: Toni K. Wolfenden, Health Dept.Assistant Reviewed bv: All Board of Health Members&Brian LaGrasse, Health Director Signed by: Joseph McCarthy, Clerk of the Board Date Signed Documents Used At Meeting: Agenda Various PSAs North Andover Board of Health Agenda Thursday,April 23,2020 7:00 p.m. OPEN SESSION VIRTUAL MEETING Live broadcast can be heard on www.northandoveream.org I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 26,2020 III. COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS,AND DISCUSSION A. COVIDI9 IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Emergency Order: Masks for Food/Retail Employees V. ADJOURNMENT Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Board of Health will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town's website, at www.northandoverma.gov. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at www.northandovercam.org. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town of North Andover website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate in public hearings please email your question/comment prior to or during the meeting to blagrasse(a)northandoverma.gov The question/comment will be read during the proceedings and responded to accordingly. 2019 North Andover Board of Health Meeting-Meeting Agenda Page 1 of 1 Note: The Board of Health reserves the right to take items out of order and to discuss and/or vote on items that are not listed on the agenda. Board of Health Members: Dr.Frank MacMillan,Jr.,Chairman/Town Physician;Joseph McCarthy,Member/Clerk;Michelle Davis,RN,Member,Daphnee Alva-LaFleur,Member;Patrick Scanlon,D.O.,Member Health Department Staff:Brian LaGrasse, Health Director;Stephen Casey Jr.,Health Inspector; Caroline Ibbitson,Public Health Nurse;Toni K.Wolfenden,Health Department Assistant LED North Andover Health Department Community and Economic Development Division Emergency Order for Employees of Grocery Stores and other Food Retailers Pursuant to the North Andover Board of Selectmen's declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2020, and in accordance with M.G.L. c. 111, § 31, 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations,the Board of Health of the Town of North Andover, in order to take additional measures to protect the public health during the COVID-19 public health emergency in light of current conditions, including an expected surge in COVID-19 cases,hereby order the following,with respect to retailers and grocery stores operating within the Town of North Andover: All employees of all grocery stores and other food retailers open to the public shall wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose. This can be satisfied by using a disposable mask or cloth covering such as a fabric mask, scarf,bandana or other covering that covers the mouth and nose. For guidance on making your own facial covering,please see the Making your own Mask document from the Health Department. This order is effective beginning April 24, 2020 at 12:01AM and shall remain in effect until the Board of Health in its judgment determines that the public health emergency no longer exists and terminates the order. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials,North Andover Police Officers, and North Andover Building Inspectors. April 16,2020 North Andover Health Department Community and Economic Development Division Exercising in Public Areas The North Andover Health Department has received some concerns regarding the use of different public areas for exercising, including but not limited to the High School track and fields and the town common. As of now there is no closure issued for these areas but the Health Department would like you to abide by the following tips when exercising in these locations. 1. Make sure to adhere to any signage you see posted at these locations. For example, the common has signage to keep everyone moving in the same direction. Adhering to any signage at these locations can help people keep their distance from one another while being able to exercise safely. 2. Before utilizing one of the public areas in Town for exercise, check how busy it is. If you arrive at a public area and it seems crowded, wait for people to leave before deciding to walk or run. You can also try using a different location, like one of the many hiking trails or even walking around your neighborhood instead. 3. Continue social distancing while exercising. Keep a 6 foot distance between yourself and the individuals around you. If this does not seem feasible, try using an alternate location or coming back at a less popular time. 4. Wear a face covering. The Center for Disease Control recommends all individuals wear a face covering when in public areas. You can find instructions on how to make one on the North Andover Health Departments website. 5. Avoid going out in or creating groups at public areas. Going out to exercise alone or with one other person helps limit the number of individuals at one location. By not creating groups on site, it helps enforce social distancing measures. April 16,2020 6. Avoid stopping on the public pathway if possible. If you need to take a break or rest during your period of physical activity, move off to the side to allow others to pass. Thank you and stay safe. Understanding the Difference MEN millip- 0 WARNING Surgical Mask N95 Respirator Testing and Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Evaluated,tested,and approved by Administration(FDA) NIOSH as per the requirements in Approval 42 CFR Part 84 Intended Use Fluid resistant and provides the wearer Reduces wearer's exposure to particles protection against large droplets, including small particle aerosols and and Purpose splashes,or sprays of bodily or other large droplets(only non-oil aerosols). hazardous fluids.Protects the patient from the wearer's respiratory emissions. Face Seal Fit Loose-fitting Tight-fitting Fit Testing No Yes Requirement User Seal Check No Yes.Required each time the respirator Requirement is donned(put on) Filtration Does NOT provide the wearer with a Filters out at least 95%of airborne reliable level of protection from inhaling particles including large and small smaller airborne particles and is not particles considered respiratory protection Leakage Leakage occurs around the edge of the When properly fitted and donned, mask when user inhales minimal leakage occurs around edges of the respirator when user inhales Use Limitations Disposable.Discard after each patient Ideally should be discarded after each encounter. patient encounter and after aerosol- generating procedures.It should also be discarded when it becomes damaged or deformed; no longer forms an effective seal to the face; becomes wet or visibly dirty;breathing becomes difficult;or if it becomes contaminated with blood,respiratory or nasal secretions,or other bodily fluids from patients. Centers for Disease Control t and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health