Board of Health
Meeting Minutes for July 28, 2020
*Approved*
The following board members were present: Dr. Leo Cusumano MD, Dr. Joseph Felsen, Judy Hopkins, Legislative
Representative
Others present: Lori Ballengee, Tyler Shaw, Brittney Schuld, Breeyan Barnes, County Administrator Carissa Knapp,
County Attorney Sarah Hicks, Casey Jones
Members absent: Dr. Willard Simons DDS, Timothy LaFever, Dr. Zahi Kassas MD., Dr. David Brubaker
Medical Director Absent: Dr. Christopher Depner.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Cusumano at 7:26pm.
Due to extenuating circumstances, quorum was not reached.
Mr. Casey Jones had privilege of the floor. He submitted information for consideration and had subsequent questions
answered by the Board, regarding COVID-19.
Lori Ballengee, Public Health Director, reported that the Health Department received an appeal regarding an ordered
quarantine that went to Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Allegany County Department of Health.
Ms. Ballengee thanks Carissa Knapp, County Administrator and Sarah Hicks, County Attorney for their guidance in this
matter.
Ms. Ballengee thanked the Health Department staff for their dedication and hard work. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Health Department has faced many challenges including maintaining office coverage in the Health Department 7
days a week, since March 14, 2020, and continuing to do so during furlough of 5 staff members beginning May 4, 2020.
Furloughed staff members have all returned and as of July 27th the Department is now back to full staff. Contact tracing
for individuals traveling to/from a state identified on the Governor’s Travel Advisory has been taken over by a New York
State department, as of Monday July 27, 2020. This will allow staff to focus on the mandatorily isolated/quarantined
population within Allegany County. Any precautionarily quarantined individuals that test positive for COVID-19 will
immediately be transferred back to the ACDOH for contact tracing and monitoring.
Corporate Compliance – There have been no compliance issues, complaints, billing errors, or reports of fraud, waste, or
abuse for the county, in the last quarter.
Accident/Incident Reporting – Nothing to report.
Brittney Schuld, Director of Patient Services, reported that the LHCSA Consolidated Review audit, scheduled for
September, will be rescheduled for a later date. There are currently no patients being monitored by LHCSA. No
complaints or incidents have been reported.
Immunization Program – 133 immunizations were provided in the 1st quarter (Jan. - March); 43 immunizations provided
in the 2nd quarter (April – June). There are 3 immunization clinics held every month however there has been a significant
decrease in clients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No complaints or incidents have been reported.
Reproductive and Sexual Health – 9.5 clinics were held in the 1st quarter – 124 clients were seen, 2.5 clinics held in the
2
nd quarter – 28 clients were seen. There has been a significant decrease in clients due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
Colleges not in session. No complaints or incidents have been reported.
TB – No current cases. No complaints or incidents have been reported.
Lead – There are currently 25 children being monitored, 15 of the 25 have been added since October due to the lower
blood lead level monitoring requirements in place. No complaints or incidents have been reported.
Communicable Diseases – There were 774 communicable diseases reported in the 1st quarter and 6,516 communicable
diseases reported in the 2nd quarter. This spike in reportable diseases is due to the increase of COVID-19 testing. To
date, there have been over 9,000 COVID-19 tests conducted for Allegany County residents. No complaints or incidents
have been reported.
Accidents/Incidents/Complaints – There was 1 emergent incident that occurred – an employee of Allegany County
experienced difficulty in breathing after eating lunch, stating that their airway felt restricted. The situation resolved
without incident. Employee was referred to private MD for follow-up.
COVID-19 – The Health Department has been very busy responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are currently 79
confirmed cases in Allegany County and there have been 212 individuals precautionarily quarantined due to their recent
travel.
Tyler Shaw reported that one member of the Environmental Health staff has returned after a leave of absence.
Rabies – A drive through rabies vaccination clinic was held and was very successful; 275 animals were vaccinated at that
time. There will be another Free Rabies Clinic held on August 8, 2020, in the town of Willing. 67 animal bites have been
investigated to date and 7 individuals have been approved for post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. 8 rabies specimens
have been sent in: 1 dog, 2 raccoons, 1 mink, 2 bats, 1 cat, and 1 horse. All specimens were negative. There have been
no positive rabies cases, to date.
Mr. Shaw and Ms. Ballengee would like to recognize Jones Memorial Hospital, as their team has been an amazing
partner with ACDOH during the COVID response.
Lead – There are currently 14 referrals being monitored in Environmental Health. This number differs from Nursing
because once the interim controls take place in the home Environmental Health is permitted to close their portion of the
investigation.
Septic System Replacement Program – Year to date, 2 applications have been approved for a total of $6,125 dispersed to
Allegany County residents, for septic system replacement.
Drinking Water Enhancement Program – 2021 grant has been approved.
Water Lab Update – Doing very well, has proven to be an excellent resource for the county residents. Just opened and
advertised to 2 new municipalities in an effort to collect and test their Coliform and E.coli water samples.
Dr. Felsen motioned to move into Attorney/Client Session, Judy Hopkins seconded the motion. All in Favor, Motion
Carried.
Judy Hopkins motioned to move out of Attorney/Client Session, Dr. Felsen seconded the motion. All in Favor, Motion
Carried.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Dr. Cusumano, motion seconded by Dr. Felsen. All in Favor, Motion
Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:13pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Breeyan Barnes
Confidential Secretary to the Public Health Director
