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MINUTES OF THE HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE March 16, 2020 City Hall Auditorium Present: Chairman Litten, Councilmembers Kepple & Rader Also Present: Councilmembers Bullock, Neff, O'Malley, & Shachner, Terry Allan (Commissioner of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health)via telephone line, Mayor George, Director Corrigan, Acting Director Schuster, Fire Chief Dunphy, Director Ducu, Director Gelsomino, Assistant Director Swallow, & members of the public Call to Order: 6:30 p.m. AGENDA Approval of the minutes of the May 13, 2019 Health& Human Services Committee Chairman Litten made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rader to approve the minutes from the May 13, 2019 Health & Human Services Committee. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. The minutes were approved. Public health emergency planning update Mr. Allan remotely gave an overview of the COVID-19 crisis and action taken by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health(CCBH)to coordinating a response. CCBH has been working internally on identifying cases, following up on their close contacts, and isolating those that are ill. CCBH has been providing information to EMS and school systems throughout the county and answering their questions. 24 cases of the state's 50 are located in Cuyahoga County. Mr. Allan believes the high number is because testing is more prevalent in this county compared to others throughout the state. Cleveland Clinic can turn around test results in a day and private labs can turn them around in 3-5 days. Metro Health will soon be testing as well. Testing is only being done for those exhibiting symptoms. The at-risk population includes seniors, those with chronic conditions, those undergoing treatments that involve immune system repression, etc. Mr. Allan explained the reasoning beyond Governor DeWine's decision to close schools, restaurants, and public places. These actions were taken to avoid people congregating in areas, cross — contaminating, and spreading the virus and overwhelming the healthcare system. These efforts have been undertaken to "flatten the curve."People should wash their hands frequently and stay 6 feet away from each other. People are encouraged to work remotely if possible and social distance. Local businesses should be supported via online ordering and payment. He provided contact information to various local and state helplines and websites for information on the virus and current crisis. Councilmember Bullock noted that a judge in Franklin County has directed the Secretary of State to postpone tomorrow's primary election and hold it on June 2nd 2020.