October 2021 Board of Health Meeting - Minutes

Moved by: Judy Lund
Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
That the agenda be approved.
CARRIED

Board Elections

1. Audit Committee Member
   Nominations for Audit Committee Member
   The Chair opened the floor for nominations for a Member of the Audit Committee, noting that Administration had received two (2) written nominations; one (1) for Tracey Bailey, and one (1) for Robert Maich.  The Chair asked for nominations from the floor (three times).  Given that there were no further nominations, nominations for an Audit Committee Member were closed.  The Chair asked Tracey Bailey if she accepted the nomination – Tracey Bailey accepted.  The Chair asked Robert Maich if he accepted the nomination – Robert Maich accepted.  Tracey Bailey and Robert Maich were appointed as a Members of the Audit Committee by acclamation.

   G. McNamara asked if Tracey Bailey, as Board Treasurer, would automatically be appointed to the Audit Committee.  N. Dupuis noted that this is not reflected as a requirement under the Audit Committee Terms of Reference or the Board By-Laws.  

   N. Dupuis also recommended that the WECHU recruit one external member to fulfill committee composition requirements, and to bring an outside perspective. 

   Moved by: Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by:  Gary Kaschak
   That the WECHU recruit an external Audit Committee Member.
   CARRIED

1. COVID-19 Update

   Dr. S. Nesathurai said that the Windsor-Essex region currently has a lower number of positive COVID-19 cases than what was being reported at the last Board of Health meeting, but the burden is still significant in our communities with outbreaks at businesses, schools and the hospitals.  Cohorts of over 300 young people have been dismissed from schools due to exposure to COVID 19, and our key goal is to keep schools open for instruction. Two thirds of eligible students are vaccinated and one third are not.  We are over a year and a half into the pandemic and health care workers are fatigued. 

   Although COVID-19 is the number one public health concern, Dr. S. Nesathurai wants to bring to light the current opioid crisis which requires more public attention.  In Ontario in 2020 about 2,400 people died from opioid related deaths compared to about 550 who perished in automobile accidents.  Opioid deaths are four time higher than car accidents.  In 2020 in Windsor-Essex we reported 420 cases and approximately 80 deaths.  We need to consider focusing our attention here.  About one-fifth, or twenty percent of individuals who die by overdose die with someone else in attendance. That is where Naloxone comes in to play and can help save a life.  We would ask those who are using not to use alone and to get a Naloxone kit.  COVID is a priority but we also need to focus on other public health priorities.  Naloxone kits are free of charge and our Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS) website https://wecoss.ca/ has all of this information on where people can get one including the list of participating pharmacies.  E. Nadalin noted that there is a direct link on our website where to obtain these kits from various community partners and we act as a community hub.  The bulk of the kits are distributed to pharmacies, making them easily accessible when filling prescriptions.  

   Moved by: Judy Lund
   Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
   That the information be received.
   CARRIED

1. Regular Board Meeting:  September 16, 2021

   Moved by: Judy Lund
   Seconded by: Joe Bachetti
   That the minutes be approved.
   CARRIED

1. Q2 Report to the Ministry (L Gregg)
   N. Dupuis noted that the WECHU submitted its Q2 Report to the Ministry.  We will defer this portion of the meeting to next month when L. Gregg is available to present

1. INFORMATION REPORTS

   1. Infection Prevention and Control Hub (K McBeth)
      The funding for this initiative flows through Ontario Health to our hospitals.  We are working in collaboration with Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH), and have an agreement to take over this work which aligns with the work of public health.

   2. COVID-19 Surveillance and Epidemiology (N. Dupuis)
      To be brought to the Board for information.

   3. Communications Recap
      To be brought to the Board for information.

      Moved by: Gary Kaschak
      Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
      That the above information be received.
      CARRIED

2. RECOMMENDATION REPORTS - None

1. CEO Quarterly Compliance – July 31, 2021 to September 30, 2021 (N. Dupuis)
   N. Dupuis brought the report to the board for information, noting there is nothing out of the ordinary to report. 

   Moved by: Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by: Judy Lund 
   That the information be received.
   CARRIED

2. Fall Immunization Plan
   N. Dupuis advised that the Ministry has requested a significant vaccination plan from the WECHU for the fall of 2021 and into the new year.  This plan includes all immunizations, i.e. Influenza, ISPA (Immunization of School Pupils Act) and COVID-19.  We are currently in a good position due to the hard work by our staff under the leadership of Kristy McBeth and community partners.  K. McBeth noted that the immunization plan is in three sections.

   1.    Influenza Vaccine 
   We are well underway with influenza vaccines.  The hospitals and LTCHs/RHs have received them in September.  The vaccine has also been distributed to 214 primary care providers and pharmacies, including the high dose vaccine for the 65 plus population.  To date, 115,200 influenza vaccines have been administered in our communities, an increase from 97,000 last year. We’ve seen an increase in demand and in our supply. The province is encouraging people to get the flu vaccine, and we have received guidance from the ministry on co-administering the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. NASI has indicated that it is safe to co-administer the COVID vaccine with other vaccines. We are working with our partners and mobile clinics, particularly in high-risk neighbourhoods, around messaging, and the vaccine is free to all residents of Ontario. Dr. S. Nesathurai said he believes there has been a drop globally around influenza cases due to masking and public health measures, but will circle back at the next board meeting with more information.

   2.    COVID-19 Vaccine
   COVID-19 vaccines commenced January 1, 2021 and will be ongoing to January 1, 2022.  We have completed 3rd doses locally for all of our LTCHs/RHs, and there will be some follow up for those who have not yet reached the 5 month timeline between vaccines. All of this work is being done in the background by our front line WECHU staff. Individuals who are considered high risk, immuno-compromised or vulnerable, are eligible for a 3rd dose of the vaccine. J. Bachetti asked about those that are homebound and if they are eligible for the 3rd dose.  K. McBeth advised that the LHIN had worked with homebound individuals on the first and second doses, but many are currently not eligible, depending on what their medical condition may be.  We can still support once they become eligible. 

   First and second doses are still considered priority and we continue to support the mass vaccination site at Sears.  Support from CRST, EMS and ESHC will continue with clinics in community centres, buses, parks, and other mobile locations.  We continue to work with school boards for the 12-17 age group.

   Immunization planning for the 5-11 year age group will be a big component for fall.  Providing options and more opportunity for vaccination is key. We are engaging with primary care providers and are hoping for an increased uptake for this group by accessing their family doctors.  Pharmacies and mobile sites will be an option as well to support this age group.  The strategy will be different for this group and we will need to revise various segments of the mass clinic, the size of syringes, chairs, mats on floor, to make them more comfortable and alleviate any feelings of anxiety. 

   E. Sleiman asked if vaccine has to occasionally be thrown out due to open vials or expiry.  K. McBeth said as part of vaccine management we never want to throw out supply.  There are limitations if vials are open and at the end of the day there are some doses that we cannot use as they are multi-use vials and have to be allocated.  Zero wastage is our goal.

   3.    School-age Immunization
   Due to school closures during the pandemic we had to change our school immunization strategy.  Our staff will be in the schools in November administering the first round of vaccines, and again in the spring for the second round.  We also have support from primary care providers. We will offer catch up clinics in December and January and are also offering in-house clinics in Windsor and Leamington. L. Snively asked if we had numbers of our youth vaccinated.  K. McBeth advised that our WECHU Epidemiology team has this information on the Dashboard on our website, broken down by age and postal code.  Numbers are going up, but not substantially.  We have seen a steady decline over the last month or so at our mobile clinics. Daily number were at 200-300 attendees, and now can be down to as low as single digits.  We have benefited greatly from the mass site at Sears, and pharmacies have picked up a good amount of traffic.

   Moved by: Larry Snively
   Seconded by: Gary Kaschak
   That the information be received.
   CARRIED

3.  

   Project Governance Committee – Review of Membership 
   The Project Governance Committee’s (PGC) composition is made up of 6 Board of Health members; 2 City representatives (Rino Bortolin and Fabio Costante); 2 County representatives (Gary McNamara and Joe Bachetti); 2 provincial appointees (Judy Lund and Robert Maich) along with the CEO, Nicole Dupuis, and Director of Corporate Services, Lorie Gregg.  The Terms of Reference were included in this month’s board package for information.

4. alPHa Fall Symposium
   Information on the alPHa Fall Symposium was brought forward for information.  The conference will be held virtually and is a one day session.  The cost for registration is $149 per person, plus HST.  In the past we have limited the number of attendees.  Given what is happening in public health and that the conference is being held virtually, we are encouraging any board or leadership team members who wish to attend to do so, and to reach out to Lee Anne Damphouse for registration.  An email went out to today with further conference details. G. McNamara said he would be interested in attending.

   Moved by: Judy Lund
   Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
   That the information be received.
   CARRIED

1. City of Hamilton, Mayor’s Office – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott – Regional Modernization and Support for Local Public Health

2. Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott – Ongoing government financial support for local public health

3. Grey Bruce Public Health Unit – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott – In support of Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s Letter to Christine Elliott – Ongoing government financial support for local public health

4. Corporation of the City of Windsor – Council Services – Council Decision CR377/2021 to adopt a Regional Active School Travel Charter

   Moved by:  Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
   That items 10.1, 10.3, 10.4 be received for information, and that the WECHU prepare a letter of support for item 10.2.
   CARRIED

Committee of the Whole (CLOSED SESSION, in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act)

The Board moved into Committee of the Whole at 4:55 pm
The Board moved out of Committee of the Whole at 5:14 pm

Next Meeting: At the Call of the Chair, or November 18, 2021 – Via Video

Moved by: Fabio Costante
Seconded by: Judy Lund
That the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.