COVID TASK FORCE MEETING NOTES
24 SEPT 2020
Healthcare Update:
All St. Luke’s Sites
16 ventilated patients (COVID and Non-COVID), 36 admitted adults, 1 pediatric admitted COVID/Rule Out COVID, 8 ICU patients COVID/Rule Out. Valley County has the lowest average number of cases as compared to surrounding counties whose averages are rising.
For more information about the St. Luke’s health system and COVID information please visit: https://www.stlukesonline.org/health-services/service-groups/covid-resources/covid-data-and-reporting
St. Luke’s, McCall
There have been 2,051-individuals tested (in total), 101 positive (in total), 1-pending. Small increase in positive tests in the last couple days ~3 in past couple of days. For more information about the McCall, St. Luke’s health system and COVID information please visit the website below, scroll to the bottom and click on the updated information under “Additional Links”:
Cascade Medical Center
Testing has been ongoing the past week with a couple of tests per day and no positive results. ~5% positivity rate. Overall looking good with numbers of positive tests going down. All School systems in Valley and Boise counties can send their teachers and staff to get testing after possible exposure even if they are non-symptomatic. Turn around for testing is approximately 30 minutes with on site testing. If you are not feeling well (considered symptomatic) it is recommended that you contact your primary care provider and get recommendations on next steps. If you are non-symptomatic (feeling well) you can call the cascade medical center and schedule an appointment for drive through testing.
For more information about the Cascade Medical Center please follow the link below: http://www.cascademedicalcenter.net/
Central District Health (CDH)
Cases remain stable in Valley County. CDH board met and no changes to the Valley County mask order have been made at this time – it will remain in place. As far as sports for schools go transportation is an issue for students to get to games/ matches safely. It is recommended that schools play schools who are in the same status of operation in order to reduce transmissions. Transmissions are still possible in any sport, but chances are less where the teams can play outdoors. There has been a rise in COVID occurrences throughout the state. In the past few weeks cases had dipped to around ~200 cases statewide, but now we’re back to averaging around ~400+/- new cases daily. This may have been caused by increased social gatherings over Labor Day weekend, school reopening, reduced mask usage due to low numbers, etc. It is important to remember that numbers in our area and in general have been decreasing because of mask wearing. It is encouraged that we keep wearing and using masks in order to keep our numbers low and everyone safe. Keep practicing the 3W’s: Wear a MASK, Wash your HANDS, Watch your DISTANCE!
If you have questions or would like more information, please call the CDH Call Center @ 1-208-321-2222
Crush the Curve
Turnaround time for testing ~48 hours. The task force will be following up with Crush the Curve and get more information on testing ability or sessions in regional areas.
Schools Update:
McCall-Donnelly School District
MOSS Day Camp is in session! Operations for day camp are going well with lots of fresh air, social distancing, and mask wearing. Normal schooling operations are going well with new scheduling still in place.
Government Update:
City of McCall
There will be a city council meeting on Sept 24 (tonight) that will highlight how the city would allow expanded seating for restaurants in the public rite of way. A Reader board was donated by the US Forest Service to notify people about the mask mandates upon entrance to the city. This may be moved to a different site in the county in order to remind people sooner about the ordinance that is in place for VC. This sign movement will need to abide with terms that Idaho Department of Transportation has set.
For more information on the city council meeting tonight please visit: https://www.mccall.id.us/events/45981/
Chamber
Mask mandate messaging will continue to be key and critical. The Forest Service is looking to host a few updates and conversations about how to care for our local forests and properly pick up after ourselves after play time is done.
Cascade
Things are going well.
Business Update:
Rotary Club
Kick COVID Event Launched today! Start date of Challenge will be OCT 1st. During this event participants do 20 min of Exercise for 20 days, donate $20, take time to spend 20 minutes doing something an act of good/kindness (2X a week)! The goal is community engagement and encouraging good health as the days get shorter. All proceeds go to scholarships for the MOSS day camp education program. To register for this event please visit www.idahokickcovid.com or check out their Facebook Page here https://www.facebook.com/McCallRotaryClub/
Restaurant Virtual Industry Round Table
26 People in attendance. Good Turn out with lots of Ideas and possible creation of outdoor dining policies as we move into winter. To read more about restaurant efforts during COVID-19 and the changing season, check out this article. https://boisedev.com/news/2020/09/22/valley-county-restaurants-fall-covid-19/
Marketing Update:
There will be a social media campaign that will have accurate updates and notifications about COVID numbers in one place and other health care information; as well as links to/promotion of healthy activities and mental health resources. The Kindness campaign is still ongoing. Possibly making another video about “Why I keep Wearing my mask”. Funding sources are being researched in order to create another video.
Questions:
Should we increase messaging for flu shot availability?
Yes, CDH will be partnering with the MDSD to have afterschool clinic to administer flu shots to staff and students. Dates are to be determined.
ADJOURN