The Churchill County Board of Health met on March 24 at 9 am in the County Commission Chambers for updates on COVID-19 vaccines, testing, CARES Act funding and the County School District's re-opening plans.
Summer Stephens, the Churchill County School District (CCSD) Superintendent discussed the re-opening plans for the county schools, saying the district's plans have not changed since the start of school year and that they would continue to remain in the hybrid model through the end of this school year.
Commissioner H. Peter Olsen, Jr noted that in most of the rural communities in the state, schools are going back full time and wanted to know how that squared with CCSD not going back full time as well. He applauded the superior effort of all involved support the more complicated hybrid model, more effort than schools being open full time.
Stephens said, “I can only speak to what we are doing, and our schools have been open every day. Some other county schools have not been.” She went on to say that they have been extremely nimble and can provide solutions for families and/or students that are struggling with home-based learning. Some students are in class on a full-time basis now. Any students that are struggling to attend full time online can come into class in person full time instead if they choose to do so. She said the district continues to work on finding ways to help families get their kids to school. Families should not hesitate to reach out to the schools directly for assistance, as no students have ever been turned away. Com- missioner Gregory Koenig said, “I think you are the Captain of the Titanic, not of a little school bus. For you to get the Titanic headed completely in the opposite direction is not something you can turn on a dime.”
The discussion continued toward the goal of being able to get back to traditional school day for the 2021 – 2022 school year rather than continue with the current model. Some online classes may still be offered in the fall but with adjusted schedules. The school hours to be open and bus stops are still being determined. More teachers for may be needed for full time in-person learning at 75 percent school capacity. It was agreed that hands-on Career Technical Education (CTE) courses are very important and require in-person learning. Stephens pointed out that CTE skills have improved since last year based on a comparison of the skills attainment test results from both years. Additional testing will be completed for other courses (math, science, etc) to review the skill levels accomplished from COVID times compared to non-COVID times. Stephens also said, “You are going to see the results of COVID learning loss, maybe not now but definitely years from now. I understand the concerns from families and do not want to minimize them. We have solutions that we can help them with.”
Commissioner Justin Heath asked, “If we stayed at the 50 percent fire code in the fall, would we have to keep the same curriculum that we have now?” Stephens responded that technically, the state code for schools is at 75 percent, “So in the fall we can for sure be at 75 percent. We are currently at 50 percent now.”
Stephanie Utz, CCSD Nurse provided a COVID information update, stating there has been a huge reduction in COVID cases. In the past two weeks, only one student tested positive and eight were excluded for exposure. For this school year, 112 students and 39 staff members have tested positive. They have been certified to perform their own COVID tests and Utz told the Board, “The state inadvertently sent us an extra 1,500 tests that they have no use for, the state tripled our order.”
The meeting continued with updates from the community partners.
Rob Carnahan, CEO of Banner Community Hospital reported that two visitors per patient are now allowed because the hospital has achieved “green visitation status.” He stressed the importance of visitors, as they help with the patient's healing and support. Hospital volunteers are returning on April 5, the gift shop will reopen around that time as well, and all CDC protocols will continue to be followed. He noted the hospital had eight days in March with no COVID patients and said, “That is an inspirational change for us.” As of today, Banner has two positive COVID patients admitted, one of which is in the ICU. Also, there were zero COVID deaths for March.
Lana Robards of the New Frontier Treatment Center stated that her unit has been quarantined for last several weeks due to positive COVID testing with clients and staff. There are no scheduled intakes for next week. Robards said, “It's a heavy lift quarantining the unit and I wanted to thank the Banner team for being responsive to the needs of our clients.” The Food Pantry has 2,618 participants coming in for food from one to five times a month, drive-through food service is ongoing and home food deliveries to seniors and those without transportation continues.
Pamela Krause, Community Health Nurse told the Board the clinic is still seeing patients by appointment and they are still doing the regular public health screenings. They have also started a back-to-school immunization plan that she and Utz could work on together.
Lisa Erquiaga, Executive Director, William N Pennington Life Center said they are hoping to start the Homemaker classes in mid-April with six to eight people per class while meeting social distancing requirements. In April, they will also be working on plans that will address all safety concerns in order to reopen the center.
Olsen said, “The isolation has been very hard on the elderly shut-ins and their senior center time is very important. Can we find a way forward to open?”
Erquiaga replied, “We have to protect those that are not vaccinated yet and I would be glad to consider any guidance the Board or the attorney can offer.”
Jim Barbee, County Manager said that he and Ernst can provide assistance and offered to help with a re-opening plan that would address the CDC occupancy and other recommendations. Barbee said, “We are here to be a resource for you.”
The next meeting of the Board of Health is for April 21 at 10 am and will focus on re-opening plans.
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