Members | Thursday, April 24, 2025 |
Devon Reese, Chair | 1:00 p.m. |
Clara Andriola, Vice Chair | |
Paul Anderson | |
Michael Brown | Washoe County Administration Complex |
Dr. Eloy Ituarte | Commission Chambers, Building A |
Steve Driscoll | 1001 East Ninth Street |
Dr. Reka Danko | Reno, NV |
Chair, Devon Reese, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Members present: Devon Reese, Chair
Clara Andriola, Vice Chair Michael Brown
Dr. Eloy Ituarte Paul Anderson Dr. Reka Danko
Meredith Tanzer led the pledge to the flag.
Public Comment.
As there was no public comment, Chair closed the item.
Approval of Agenda.
Recognitions.
Special Recognitions
Lisa Lottritz – Dr. Kingsley shared that Ms. Lottritz will be retiring with 30 years of dedicated service to the community, having touched thousands of lives. She began her career in 1995 and has advocated for Health Equity since that date, sharing access, innovation and care delivery, her leadership has helped shape a healthier and more resilient Northern Nevada. As she enters the next chapter, she is wished joy, relaxation, and continued fulfillment in the years ahead.
Molly Rose Lewis from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office shared a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for Ms. Lotrritz’s 30 years of service with NNPH, retiring as director of Community and Clinical Health Services. She was thanked for her dedication to community health with congratulations from Senator Jacky Rosen.
Dr. Reka Danko thanked Ms. Lottritz for everything she has done, that it was a pleasure working for her and an honor through some of the toughest times through the COVID pandemic. She did so many things with a smile on her face, serving and sharing so many things with the community.
Mr. Michael Brown thanked Ms. Lottritz for her eagerness to answer questions all these years and helping the community in many different ways. Enjoy a retirement well deserved.
Ms. Andriola noted that, though they have recently met, she appreciates the character and dedication to 30 years of community service. It is clear that your leadership is going to guide the path forward.
Mr. Paul Anderson thanked Ms. Lottritz for her service and wished her a blessed future into a new territory.
Dr. Eloy Ituarte shared his congratulations, after his brief work with her. He found her helpful and instrumental in helping to protect the health of some of the community members that needed more help than others.
Ms. Lottritz shared that she has felt blessed to have had her career in public health. She noted it was never boring and different from home visits to TB, always something new and different and she’ll always carry that with her. She has met so many amazing people and could not have done this without each and every staff member, among others. At NNPH, she was always part of a great team.
Years of Service
Lisa Sheretz – Health Educator II – CCHS – 5 years 4/13/2020
Liliana Wilbert – Epidemiologist – EPHP – 5 years 4/27/2020
Erin Dixon thanked Lisa Sheretz and Liliana Wilbert on their 5 years of service, which began during COVID.
Health Heroes
Brendan Schnieder – AQM
Taylor Stokes – EHS
Frenchie Rubio shared the Health Hero recognitions from March as Brendan Schniedeer and Taylor Stokes.
Chair Reese noted that there is pleasure in hearing about the special recognitions, as that tells everyone people are happy working here and with us.
Recognize the week of May 5-9, 2025, as Washoe County Air Quality Awareness Week.
Craig Petersen read the Proclamation for Air Quality Awareness Week and noted that they are working with the Comms Team to get some information out on social media every day of Air Quality Awareness Week to showcase the Keep It Clean programs. There will also be a collaborative meeting with WCSD regarding the equipment shared.
Recognize the week of May 18-24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week, with the theme “We Care. For Everyone.”
Jordyn Marchi read the proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week and thanked all partners for the good work they do to promote good public health and emergency health during some of the scariest times people experience.
A. Possible approval of March 27, 2025, Draft Minutes.
B1.Approve the Notice of Award from the Department of Health and Human Services for the project period retroactive to April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 with a fourth-year partial funding of $189.319.00 for the approved budgeted amount of $436,000.00 ($1,109,108.44 required match) in support of the Community and Clinical Health Services Division (CCHS) Title X Program and authorize the District Health Officer to exectue the Subaward and any future amendments.
B2.Approve the Agreement between Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) and Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEI) to coordinate and manage the 2025-26 Washoe Region Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) strategic framework and initiatives implementation project for a total amount of $150,000.00 for the period April 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
B3.Recommendation for the Board to approve the Interlocal Agreement between Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) and the Larson Institute to design and implement a comprehensive evaluation of the Health Corner Store (HCS) Program.
C1.Recommendation for the Board to uphold an uncontested citation issued to United Rentals (North America), Inc. Case No. 1551, Notice of Violation No. AQMV25-0009 with a %500.00 penalty for failing to comply with permit requirements associated with Permit to Operation No. AAIR16-0060.
C2.Recommendation for the Board to uphold an uncontested citation issued to Q&D Construction, LLC, Case No. 1552, Notice of Violation No. AQM25-0008 with a $500.00 penalty for failing to obtain a Dust Control Permit prior to the commencement of a dust generating activity.
D1.Approve the retroactive travel reimbursement for Devon Reese, a non-County employee for FY25, February 24-26, 2025, travel to Washington, DC for NALBOH representation on Hill Day, in the amount of $1767.10.
D2.Approve the authorization to travel and travel reimbursements for non-County employee, Dr. Eloy Ituarte, for FY26, July 15-18, 2025, travel to Anaheim, CA for the NACCHO 360 conference in the approximate amount of $2400.00.
E. Acknowledge receipt of the Health Fund Financial Review for March, Fiscal Year 2025.
End of Consent Items.
8A.Presentation and Recognition of Gear Hut for their GreenBiz Award in May, 2023.
8B.Presentation of the 2025 Extra Mile Award to Northern Nevada Pride.
Zarmish Tariq shared that the NNPH Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Program is recognizing Northern Nevada Pride for their work in providing a smoke and XXXXX free environment for our community. She noted that about 91% of Washoe County adults do not smoke and it is no surprise that there is a growing demand for smoke free environments. The Extra Mile Award recognizes businesses and organizations that have exceeded the standards set by the Nevada Clean Indoor Act, which prohibits smoking and vaping in various indoor workplaces. Award recipients have made the conscious decision to adopt more comprehensive policies to protect community members from second-hand tobacco, tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosol. Meredith and Sarah, on behalf of Northern Nevada Pride accepted the award for their smoke free and vape free policy, providing a safe environment while having fun making friends, sporting and celebrating each other.
Molly Rose Lewis, Community Development Manager for US Senator Jacky Rosen, presented a certificate of special congressional recognition to Northern Nevada Pride in thanks for fostering a cleaner, healthier and more inclusive environment through the voluntary smoke free policy at the annual festival and community parade.
Yvonne Allen, on behalf of Northern Nevada Pride, accepted the recognition and thanked NNPH for the long-time support from NNPH.
Chair Reese asked about the status of the parade this year, due to the bridges and Wingfield Park being closed.
Ms. Allen noted that the parade will still continue down Virginia Street under the arch and over the bridge downtown, but will move the festival, probably to Midtown.
Recommendation to accept the REMSA Health Monthly Franchise Reports for February and March 2025, which include REMSA Health Accounts Receivables Summary, Compliance by Zones, Average Response Times, Incident Details Reporting, Summary Penalty Fund Reconciliation, Ground Ambulance Operations Report, Patient Experience Report and Comments, Education Report, and Public Relations Report, and provide possible Board direction.
Shannon Popovich, Director of Regional Communications for REMSA Health noted that the Board has received a copy of their report and she is available for any questions.
Chair Reese noted that it is his desire that each Board member have the opportunity to visit with REMSA during the course of their term of service and wishes for REMSA enquire of the members and reach out to invite them to view the dispatch center and all the items housed there. As they are an important partner and there is a lot going on in the community and they are a critical piece of this community.
Recommendation for the appointment to the Sewage Wastewater and Sanitation Hearing Board. Staff recommends the reappointments of Mr. John Adams, Mr. Kenneth Lund and Mr. Chad Carnes as member for three-year terms, and the initial appointment of Mr. Robert Sweeney as a member for a three-year term beginning on May1, 2025 and concluding on April 30, 2028.
Latricia Lord indicated that three appointments are about to expire on the Sewage, Wastewater and Sanitation Advisory Board. As one member recently resigned, new applications were solicited, and three applications for reappointments were received. Mr. Chad Carnes, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Kenneth Lund were expiring and have expressed a desire for reappointment. Mr. Robert Sweeney has provided an application for the vacant position.
Chair Reese thanked Ms. Lord for her presentation and noted that he was not familiar with what this Board does and asked for a brief description.
Ms. Lord shared that this is a voluntary board and is filled with local industry personnel. They hear variance requests or appeals for the SWS regulations or well regulations, which are then presented to this Board for final approval. They meet approximately three times per year.
Presentation and discussion regarding 2024 Washoe County Risk Factor Study.
Olivia Alexander-Leeder presented information learned during the recently completed 2024 Risk Factor Study completed by the Food Safety Program, which provides the opportunity for regulatory food safety programs to demonstrate their public health outcomes. The first study was completed in 2017, and all additional studies are on a 5-year cycle. The study adheres to standard nine framework, with data being collected by conducting unannounced, random inspections at a random sample of five required facility types, with corrections required on site for any observed violations while the inspector was there. The study findings identified progress in food safety compliance and showed practices requiring more intervention. Across all facility types, the proportion of establishments found out of compliance decreased for poor personal hygiene, improper holding time and temperature, and inadequate cooking risk factors. There was an increase in establishments found to be out of compliance for contaminated equipment risk. To address some of the identified items, education and outreach programs have been implemented such as the Active Managerial Control Program, the Food Safety Overview course, and the Food Safety Inspection Boot Camp. In addition, dozens of trainings and visual aid resources have been provided for the public. Refresher training and information sharing sessions for the inspection teams are emphasized, to ensure consistent application of the regulations. Participation and success in retail food program standards has historically supported the receipt of grants, funding education, outreach and program development for the food safety program and professional development activities for inspectors, as well as playing a key role in Public Health Accreditation Board accreditation.
Mr. Anderson asked how well attended the training educational sessions are and how messaging is getting into the community.
Ms. Leeder-Alexander noted that the February Food Safety Inspection Boot Camp had fifty- five attendees, and the Active Managerial Courses see 2-15. The information is provided to the public via the Food Safety Newsletter, sent out quarterly to a listserv. An email blast also
goes out when a new training becomes available. The NNPH Communications Team publish social media blasts as well.
Ms. Andriola asked what times the AMC and Food Safety Boot Camps are offered.
Ms. Leeder-Alexander noted that the AMC is held on the first Monday and third Tuesday of each month, from 930-1130 am, the Food Safety Inspection Boot Camp in the morning, and the Food Safety overview follows the ACM course from 1145 am-1245 pm. The ACM course is on Mondays and Tuesdays due to many restaurants being closed on these days.
Ms. Andriola notes some of the improvements are big things to celebrate. She has some specific questions regarding the study she can take offline. She also suggested possibly sharing some of the restaurant improvements, course attendees and awards on social media, to put the improvements in the public eye and show their levels of commitment to excelling.
Ms. Leeder-Alexander noted that is one reason she shared these results, though it shows there is still work to be done, there has been much improvement and a lot of work done at NNPH to make businesses successful. The team provides the Excellence in Food Safety Award for restaurants that are improving and committing to providing excellence in food safety.
Chair Reese thanked Ms. Leeder-Alexander for sharing this information and shared that he has worked with the inspectors and sees how things are during an inspection. Being out in the community, as a Board member, he also gets questions and concerns brought to him about situations business owners find themselves in. He appreciates the forward thinking and the actions taken to provide additional training and opportunities for learning that the department is providing to rebuild the trust of the community. Through the Excellence Award, a pathway has been designed to help people understand that the agency is not out there to beat anyone up, but our wish is for them to succeed. Whatever can be done by the Board to help the team should be communicated, so they are able to provide assistance an input to the best of their ability.
Ms. Leeder-Alexander thanked for those comments and asked that, when something is heard from an establishment feeling upset, encourage them to reach out to the food safety program or to their inspector. This is a collaborative process of enforcement and regulation, and they would like to use this as an educational touch point.
Chair Reese asked about the Excellence in Food Safety Award and if the only recognition is sticker, could it be made into something more to strive for.
Ms. Leeder-Alexander noted that the recognition includes a sticker for their window, plus a gold star on their facility name on the publicly available Washoe Eats app. Some recent advertising has also been purchased in the Edible Reno Tahoe magazine, and they are also acknowledged on the website.
Chair Reese indicated that this is good but see if we can figure out a way to expand it. This is something that should be sought after and people should be looking for.
Dr. Kingsley noted he recently attended an Active Managerial Course and found Ms. Leeder- Alexander and the team did a wonderful job. There are additional considerations for those receiving the excellence award, and they never want to back off on the positive progress being made. Board members are also encouraged to attend the training.
Chair Reese noted he is interested in attending the ACM course and asked to have someone help get him scheduled. In addition, he asks to please continue to know if there are things that the Board can do, or things they need to do better.
Presentation, discussion and possible approval of suspension of wide area larviciding including helicopter services and chemical purchases for the purpose of mosquito control for the 2025 Season.
Erin Dixon shared that NNPH has been having ongoing discussions regarding fiscal stability, with teams taking steps to reduce spending and maximize revenue. To save costs, the suspension of large area treatment for mosquito abatement for the 2025 season is proposed, which means not flying the helicopter or purchasing chemicals. This is one of the largest NNPH expenditures that does not impact staffing and would provide savings of approximately $260,000. In the past 5 years, the budget has remained static, but the costs continue to increase. There are several diseases potentially spread by mosquitos, and with an effective program that includes the helicopter, there are limited cases each year. If we remove the large area abatement this year, surveillance will continue, with specific and targeted treatment continuing in small water sources, prevention and community education will continue and be expanded, staff will continue to respond to complaints, and other vector borne issues will be investigated and addressed. There will be increased mosquito activity, but it will not be possible to treat for all complaints. Ongoing communication, education and active outreach, including planned communication through social media, local news stations, and partnerships with other jurisdictions are planned to maintain the most up to date and accurate information. If the Board supports this decision, flyers with this message will be available at all community events, provided to the Board members, and jurisdictional partners.
Chair Reese noted that he has been a part of these budget discussions and what services must be provided per federal law. This was one of the first items identified as a cost savings.
Ms. Andriola asked if partial treatment could be done and what the helicopter would provide that wouldn’t be done.
Ms. Dixon noted that multiple treatments use fewer chemicals, less treatments would require more chemicals per use and would not be as effective. Larvicide will continue by hand, other methods, or drone for small, isolated spots, but is not a substitute for the helicopter, which would not be used at all. The team will work with people to do prevention to effectively eliminate the issue.
Wes Rubio noted that the helicopter is quite expensive and without it, there will be no ability
to hand treat large areas. Most areas are too large to be treated by hand. The drone would be able to treat smaller areas, but is no replacement for a helicopter.
Ms. Andriola wished to highlight that the direction asked of the Board does not reflect all treatment not occurring, just the use of the helicopter. She also asked if the weather is taken into consideration for this type of decision.
Mr. Rubio said that the weather is recorded and noted, along with the mosquitoes captured in certain areas and regions. These logs help show when we are potentially heading into a riskier zone, so attempts can be made to mitigate or manage. As we get into summer and water sources start to dwindle, it helps a bit, though warmer temperatures hurt, so things are still unknown. There may be more information on the outlook by the end of next month.
Dr. Ituarte asked if there is screening for diseases when mosquitoes are captured or any geographical area of Washoe County that’s more at risk.
Mr. Rubio mentioned that the state lab is the agency testing the mosquitoes and they screen for West Nile, Western Equine, and Saint Louis. There has been no dengue identified in the area.
Dr. Kingsley added a lot of discussion has been had over this and being the correct partners for the community. A goal is to develop relationships, so all will remain well informed. He also shared that this is not a mandated service, but an essential service where work can still be done to provide services and education while exploring options for other funding, with ongoing discussions to review this in future years.
Mr. Anderson shared his thanks for the presentation and reiterated that all local governments understand there are tough times right now and hard decisions are being made about budgets. If this program is stopped for the year, what will be done to notify the public.
Ms. Dixon noted that the Communications Team is ready to go with outreach, so community education can begin and there is time to prepare for what people can do to educate themselves. The more the messages that get out before mosquito season, the better off everyone will be. Community events teams will be taking the message as well.
Mr. Anderson asked for the information to also be shared with the Board members.
Chair Reese shared the information will be made public and noted that the program is not being eliminated but put on pause. This is more about being aware of surroundings and knowing mosquitoes exist and carry disease.
Discussion and direction to staff regarding legislative issues proposed by legislators, by
Northern Nevada Public Health, or by other entities permitted by the Nevada State Legislature to submit bill draft requests, or such legislative issues as may be deemed by the Chair of the Board to be of critical significance to NNPH. Pending legislative bills can be located here https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025. Current bills NNPH is tracking that may be reported on or discussed can be found here https://www.nnph.org/about- us/legislative-affairs.php. Due to the rapid pace of the legislative session, additional bills that may be reported on or discussed at the District Board of Health will be posted as soon as known.
Joelle Gutman Dodson noted that the first committee deadline was April 11, where 282 bills died, or were never heard or received a work session. On April 22, the first House deadline occurred, where 7 more bills died. On April 4, budget item 3234, with $15M recommended by the Governor closed and the funds remained. The Advisory Board that works with the Economic Forum met and projected a 2.3% budget deficit across the board, since the last November budget estimate, which leads to a deficit in the Nevada State budget. The Public Health funding throughout the state appears relatively safe, but we need to be aware that things could change, with a possible budget reopening and money being shifted. SB423 was heard on April 8, creating new base funding for Public Health infrastructure. This is more geared toward smaller counties without a health district and creates about $225,000 to be allocated to each county through a biennium, allowing the rural counties to begin their infrastructure. Amy Hinds Sutherland from NACO, Dr. Lockett from SNHD and Dr.
Kingsley all testified in support, along with a number of others, where there was no opposition. There was a recent amendment to SB324 that bans the use of single use water bottles in the Lake Tahoe watershed. Initially, our part of this was to do enforcement, and as we are not the correct agency for this, we have asked for clarification, so it doesn’t become an unfunded mandate. Another bill of concern is SB295, regarding street food vendors. This has been heavily amended with suggestions from NNPH, but is still a work in progress.
AB326 was originally proposed by the Nevada Rural Hospitals and creates a trauma level four. This has become a study that revises provisions relating to the designation of hospitals as Centers for the treatment of trauma, which will report back on January 2027 with study results. SB173 is a bill about banning microplastics, such as plastic cutting boards, which would need NNPH enforcement and fining. Work will be done with this sponsor to educate our position on this. Ms. Gutman Dodson’s tracking has begun with bills NNPH is getting amended into.
Chair Reese thanked Ms. Gutman Dodson for her update and is grateful for her attendance in Carson City representing NNPH. The liaison from City of Reno has expressed compliments in working with her and sharing ideas. He also asked about any tracking of housing bills.
Ms. Gutman Dodson shared that she has not had the bandwidth to track many of the housing bills, as there are so many. She will, however, provide an update on some of them in her final update after the session has ended.
Ms. Andriola also shared her thanks for the hard work being done and the hours and changes that occur quickly.
Review, Discussion, and Possible Approval of the District Health Officer’s Annual Performance Evaluation Results and Possible Approval of a 5% Annual Merit Increase.
Laurie Griffey shared that the Board approved the review process, questions and participants for Dr. Kingsley’s evaluation in February. It was distributed, with several reminders sent out, and closed on March 17. The items were weighted with strategic planning at 50%, Board relations at 20%, internal leadership and direct reports at 20%, and committee stakeholder engagement at 10%. The results were based on a three-point system, with Dr. Kingsley’s overall rating at a 2.4 with 75% participation. With this satisfactory rating, Dr. Kingsley’s contract will automatically renew for another year and he is eligible for a 5% merit increase, which is standard for all Washoe County employees with a successful evaluation.
Chair Reese thanked Ms. Griffey for her work on the process. He also noted that Dr. Kingsley came into a situation where the leadership has been around for a long time and can be challenging in a variety of ways. He feels there are places where he has been very effective and other areas where growth could be made. He has a high degree of belief in Dr. Kingsley’s ability to lead this organization. In discussing the results of the survey, things that were difficult or points of criticism were met with reflection and time to consider improvement, rather than with negativity. Overall, the evaluation was very good, but there is still room for growth. There will be check-ins over the next year to make sure Dr. Kingsley remains on track to achieve his goals professionally and as leader of this organization.
Dr. Kingsley noted that he provided his comments via email provided to the Board and recognizes leadership is a journey of continuous improvement. The feedback provided has been humbling and helpful and he looks forward to his and NNPH’s growth.
Ms. Andriola added that she appreciates the follow-up, especially outlining the goals set and knowing those are benchmarks to be measured by. Leadership is about setting the tone for how the organization is going to respond and the culture of the organizations builds from that. She appreciated the humility in the recognition that there are some necessary areas of improvement identified.
Recommendation to amend the Employment Agreement between Northern Nevada Public Health and Chad Kingsley, District Health Officer, by deleting Section 5(A) subsection (b): Compensatory time, which has been discontinued by County HR for top management: and replacing Section 5(A) subsection (b) with: Payment of Accumulated Vacation: to allow for the additional option to receive a cash payment during a calendar year, for a range of accumulated unused vacation leave hours.
Ms. Griffey shared that Human Resources recently removed the comp time eligibility for all upper management. She is asking to have this removed from his contract and replacing it with language where he can be paid out for it, as with the vacation time.
Chair Reese noted that this helps align the contract with recommendations from Washoe County Human Resources policies.
Staff Reports and Program Updates
Air Quality Management – State of the Global Climate 2024, January 2025 EPA Small Business Newsletters, Divisional Update, Program Reports, Monitoring and Planning, Permitting and Compliance.
Francisco Vega reported that in the month of March, there were no exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. They also processed and reviewed 61 plans, all in a timely manner.
Community and Clinical Health Services – National Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness; Data & Metrics; Sexual Health (Outreach and Disease Investigation), Immunizations, Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program, Reproductive and Sexual Health Services, Chronic Disease Injury Prevention Program, Maternal Child and Adolescent Health, Women Infants and Children, and Community Health Workers.
Lisa Lottritz noted that in April, the immunization team has five school located vaccination clinics, with all being well attended. There are three outreach events coming up in May, one of which is the Family Health Festival.
Chair Reese shared his gratitude for her 30 years of service and asked about her successor.
Ms. Lottritz shared that Christina Sheppard was the successful candidate for the Division Director position. She has been the Nurse Practitioner Supervisor in the clinic, essentially the medical and lab director. She feels that Ms. Sheppard will do a wonderful job in this position. Ms. Sheppard has been working with Ms. Lottritz for a couple of months, but officially April 21, with Ms. Lottritz’s last day set to be May 2.
Environmental Health Services Program – Consumer Protection (Food Safety Plan Review & Operations, Commercial Plan Review, Foodborne Illness, Special Events, Permitted Facilities); Environmental Protection (Land Development, Safe Drinking Water, Vector-borne Disease Surveillance, Waste Management / Underground Storage Tanks).
Rob Fyda gave a shout out to his staff for the great talent he has and the great service
they provide to the community. Some of the senior staff attended the Conference for Food Protection, where some of the staff is on Councils there, leading the way in some of this work. On the plan review side, they have done work with the Cares Campus to make sure the dining hall and kitchen were designed for a highly susceptible population and applying food safety practices to the highest-level standard of care. Additional staff is pursuing grant opportunities, with the hope that a proposal for PFAS in unregulated wells will be accepted.
Chair Reese noted that there have been a few issues recently with some restaurants occurring just outside of working hours that the team was great in navigating and getting things done and thanked him for being on call so frequently.
Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness – Epidemiology, Public Health Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services, Vital Statistics.
Nancy Diao highlighted an earthquake workshop help on April 16, which will lead to a full-scale exercise in May. These workshops are designed with a primary focus on community partners providing subject matter expertise, to be integrated in emergency response. There continues to be a decrease in outbreak numbers in April compared to March, a majority of which are gastrointestinal illnesses. Respiratory illnesses and influenza have dropped below region 9 baseline since week twelve, corresponding to late March dates and remains so, with the main virus being flu A, H3N2, with more flu B in recent weeks. Hospitalizations have been on the decrease but were higher than all seasons since 2017-2018. Respiratory syncytial virus and COVID hospitalizations are low and stable. The measles outbreak continues, with a total of 800 confirmed cases in 25 states and none in Washoe County. The quarter 1 2025 communicable disease statistics summary will be published this afternoon.
Office of the District Health Officer Report – Northern Nevada Public Health Communications Update, Accreditation, Quality Improvement, Workforce Development, Community Health Improvement Program, Equity Projects / Collaborations, Community Events, and Public Communications Outreach.
Dr. Kingsley noted that a large amount of shift is happening within the Federal Government. There are things being discovered on the public health side that sync to this organization. He is part of NATO, ASTHO and PHA, organizations where information is shared for a grassroot network of local health departments and states cooperating to understand how to progress forward.
Public Comment.
Board Comment.