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WC CWF Health District Board Minutes - 01/14/2022 WICHITA FALLS-W1CHITA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD MINUTES oorype, er eeit, January 14 2022 *,* s. . ,-.. Public Health Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District 1700 Third Street - Parker Conference Room Wichita Falls, Texas BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Williamson, M.D., Chair Physician -City Appointment Lauren Jansen, Ph.D., R.N. Vice-Chair Registered Nurse— City Appointment Paris Ward, M.A., B.S. Secretary Citizen At-Large - City Appointment Melissa Plowman Restaurant Association - City Appointment David Carlston, Ph.D. Citizen At-Large - County Appointment Jered Harlan, D.V.M. Veterinarian—City Appointment BOARD MEMBER UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: Tonya Egloff, D.D.S. Dentist- County Appointment OTHERS PRESENT: Lou Kreidler, R.N., B.S.N. Director of Health Amy K. Fagan, M.P.A. Assistant Director of Health Michael Smith Council Liaison Woodrow W. Gossom, Jr. County Judge I. CALL TO ORDER Keith Williamson, Chair called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm after a quorum of members was attained. II. RE-APPOINTMENTS AND NEW MEMBER INDUCTION Janice Flores, State of Texas Notary Public, conducted the inductions. Re-appointments: • Melissa Plowman, City appointed Restaurant Association • Paris Ward, City Appointed Citizen At-Large New Member: • Jered Harlan, City appointed Veterinarian replaced Julie Gibson. Ill. ELECTION OF OFFICERS All members agreed on Keith Williamson, Chair and Lauren Jansen, Vice-Chair to continue in their current positions. All members agreed on Paris Ward self-nomination as Secretary. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ABSENCES Keith Williamson called for the review and approval of the November 12, 2021 minutes. Lauren Jansen introduced a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Melissa Plowman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Tonya Egloff had an unexcused absence. V. COVID-19 UPDATE Amy Fagan stated in the last few weeks COVID has gotten bad again, it is at its peak and worse than in the past. The numbers close of today January 14 are at 2,728 cases, 81 hospitalized and 8 deaths in one week. On December 27, CDC had a massive change in their discontinuation of isolation and quarantine protocol. Prior it was 10 days for both quarantine and isolation now CDC recommends 5 days for both. Informative data out of the countries that saw a surge in the new variant Omicron was that the timefranne by which one becomes symptomatic from exposure decreased substantially. In Delta and previous variants if exposed, if became sick typically would have symptoms by day 5 or 6 with the new variant seen it happen around day 2 or 3. Health District data indicates people are most infectious in the 2 days before symptom onset and 2 days after, although the incubation period can still be 14 days it has gone down to about 10 days as the maximum and down from 5 to 6 days to about 2 to 3 days before becoming symptomatic. The Health District decided to change the guidelines to be in alignment with CDC but remain more stringent one could have improvement of symptoms and clear from isolation after 5 full days. The Health District decision remains to require one to be symptom free, other than the long loss of sense of taste, smell, and tiredness, not seen as much with this variant still could clear. however the majority would have to be clear of symptoms in order to clear the isolation period. With the 5 days came the strong recommendation to wear a mask for 5 days after isolation and for those in quarantine because it cannot be a requirement in Texas.The Health District still differentiates between household and non-household contacts, still requires household contacts to quarantine and non-household should, but CDC does not and says they all are contacts if one feels they cannot quarantine then just do a great job of mask wearing and the Health District. is not okay with that. An additional guideline change was in the language fully vaccinated, used for ones that had received 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna and 2 weeks out from the second dose or Johnson & Johnson.and 2 weeks out. The new language from CDC adopted by the Health District at this current time states if one is more than 6 months out from their mRNA or more than 2 months out from Johnson & Johnson one still quarantines when exposed to someone who tested positive. Unless boosted if one received original vaccines 11 months ago and boosted then one does not have to quarantine, however it is highly recommended to wear a mask for 10 days and test at day 5, there still are symptomatic carriers. There are a lot of challenges Nationwide and in North Texas since many people experience allergy symptoms. People make assumptions that it is just allergies, runny nose, or congestion, often at work for 2 to 3 days before getting worse or someone says it might be COVID go test It is asked that people be extremely vigilant to make sure people are excluded based on symptoms and testing. Hear repeatedly of more negative tests seen that are believed to be positive that maybe the tests are not as sensitive with this variant. Wichita Falls currently does not have a documented case of Omicron. The State of Texas gives local Health Department's specific criteria for samples to test for subtyping that is one has to be either hospitalized or deceased with a sample available. The Health District works with local Healthcare facilities to collect samples to submit to the State, it typically takes 2 weeks but with the State backlog there are currently 17 samples pending. Based on symptoms seen the timeframe by which the symptoms present and resolve and with feedback received it is believed Omicron is here. The State provides data from the CDC National SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Program that is not necessarily indicative of what is happening in the community nor State; scientific estimates can be made based on what is going on at the National level from samples received from the States. When the World Health Organization declared Omicron was a variant of concern mid-November a small percentage of cases subtyped as Omicron increased week over week as surmised of what is here in Wichita County as based on case report information, hopefully the results from the pending samples will verify that. The Health District this week made the decision on the change in terminology regarding vaccine breakthrough cases since the term fully vaccinated is antiquated. The District has always published the vaccine breakthrough analysis, specific information provided on those fully vaccinated that contracted COVID-19 as to which vaccine, how long before symptom onset, that type of data is no longer relevant so the language was changed to those who are up to date on their vaccines. It has changed as vaccines have been available for a year with waning immunity and changes in types and subtypes it is important to stay relevant, to use, collect, and publish relevant information. This week will continue to publish as vaccine breakthrough cases of those fully vaccinated, with a subset to describe the change in language next week of those up to date on their vaccines with the COVID positive percentage.The information gives people a better scope of understanding of who is getting sick and how to continue to prevent illness with being up to date on vaccines whether 6 months or less out or boosted. Melissa Plowman questioned as far as being up to date on the vaccines and such, is there any data that determines when someone has actually had COVID recently and does that fair any kind of somebody having more antibodies or so forth, at this point are any of those things looked at. Amy Fagan replied yes, the case investigators still call individuals but gone from a 4 page to 1 page report to retain the basic information; symptom onset, any large gatherings, where they work, where they go to school, and vaccine information to analyze. The fully vaccinated and not vaccinated are separated up until today, next week will look just at those who are up to date, for those hospitalized or deceased, will continue to publish the fully vaccinated. The dialogue is important for example; this week as of today of the 81 hospitalized, 36 are vaccine breakthrough cases, and of the 81 hospitalized 44% fully vaccinated. Only 5 individuals of the vaccine breakthrough cases are boosted in their 80s, 1 in their 70s and 1 in their 60s), the probability of getting sick enough to hospitalize substantially decreases when boosted. People can protect themselves at this time being up to date with their vaccines to include boosters.Active cases are almost at the same peak as this time last year the difference is it has been running a sprint so much faster than last year. Hopefully the drastic surge will met with a drastic decline as seen in Countries that experienced the surge prior to here last November and December, although with active cases incredibly high the hospitalizations are less than that many active cases previously. Lauren Jansen asked if a fourth booster is expected. Dr. Williamson had read of research on a booster tailored to Omicron, there is also the school of thought that the booster should not really be regarded as a booster so much as to completion of a primary series that was too compressed in the initial rollout, so he does not know. 2 VI. ANIMAL ORDINANCE UPDATE Nicki Bacon, Animal Services Administrator presented the requested changes to the Animal Ordinance as follows in Red Chapter 14—ANIMALS;ARTICLE I— IN GENERAL Sec. 14-1. Definitions. Enclosure means an area sectioned off by a fence or wall secured on all sides to prevent escape. Prior to Court a lawyer said to the effect the enclosure had four sides but the sides were not secure, open, and airy to weather conditions. Owner means a person who owns, keeps, shelters, maintains, feeds, harbors, or has temporary or permanent custody of a domestic or prohibited animal, or who knowingly permits a domestic or prohibited animal to remain on or about any premises over which that person has control. The term shall include a person who harbored. fed, or sheltered the animal for three (3)seven (7) consecutive days or more. Days changed due not to penalize a person actively trying to find the animals owner if kept longer than 7 days having taken care and responsibility of the animal, at that point considered the owner. Sec. 14-10. Owner surrendered animals. (a) Individual must show proof of ownership and valid government issued ID showing they live within the city limits. Only take surrenders from people that live in the City of Wichita Falls not outside and people did not want to furnish an ID. (d) Any owner who surrenders an animal to Animal Services will be unable to adopt an animal from the shelter for one year Exceptions to this would include animals who are sick(not thriving), elderly, or aggressive. Do not want to encourage constant owner surrendering an animal then adopting that is not great ownership. Sec. 14-14. Animal adoption policies. (a)(3) All animals in the home must be spayed/neutered, mieroGh-ippe-el,and current on vaccinations and city licenses prior to the applicant being approved for adoption. People do not agree and do not like being told what to do with their animals removal of microchipped takes the barrier off the adoption process to get more animals out. Sec. 14-17. Responsible pet owner, the purpose of the program; (d)Fees and penalties. (2) Failure of an offender or citizen who received reduced or waived fees to complete the responsible pet program within 30 days will result in citations. If the owner does not successfully complete the responsible pet owner program, they can be issued citations and will be responsible for paying the difference that was reduced or waived_ Enables collection of the reduced or waived fees. ARTICLE II. DOG AND CAT VACCINATION AND LICENSING; DIVISION 2. DOG OR CAT LICENSE. Sec. 14-71. License required. No person shall own, possess, or harbor a dog or cat 16 weeks of age or over without obtaining a license for each animal. (a) Pet owners are required to provide proof of an animal's current city license when requested by an Animal Care Officer Proof shall be provided by showing current city license to the officer, or providing a receipt from veterinarian or authorized location where license was purchased. (b) City license must be renewed concurrent with rabies vaccinations. Enforces in the field an Animal Care Officer to obtain proof of city license. ARTICLE PERMITS; DIVISION 2. COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS. Sec. 14-154. Kennel Permit. (b) If the owner of the kenneled animal resides within the city limits of Wichita Falls, they must be 14ier-eGhippeel-alld have a valid city license. Sec. 14-157. Private animal permit. (!) Citizens bringing in animals must provide valid government ID and the shelter shall maintain this information in their designated system. Enforces the ability to ask and obtain a valid ID. ARTICLE IV. ANIMAL CONTROL; DIVISION 2. DANGEROUS DOGS. Sec. 14-333. Dangerous dog license required. (a) tie-nal Registry for dangerous dogs and present proof of registration. Removal of requirement due to there no longer is a National Registry for dangerous dogs. Sec. 14-335. Declaration of dangerous dog. (d)A dangerous license shall be obtained no later than the 15th day after the person learns that they are an owner of a dangerous dog. 3 Established a deadline in order to be in compliance. DIVISION 3. IMPOUNDMENT. Sec. 14-370. Records required. (6) The name, address, birthdate, government issued ID number and phone number of the adopter, owner, person reclaiming animal(s), citizen who is dropping off a stray, or any other person that interacts with the City of Wichita Falls Animal Services. Again enforces the ability to ask and obtain a valid ID. Sec. 14-373, The right of owner to reclaim;fee. A(2) If the owner does not successfully complete the responsible pet owner program, they can be issued citations and will be responsible for paying the difference that was reduced or waived. An owner can have the reclaim fees waived if it is the first time the pet was astray and cannot afford the fees. (e) Sterilization is not required if the release is made to an owner who provides proof that a veterinarian has issued a signed, written opinion that sterilization would jeopardize the animal's health or the animal is registered with a national dog registry and has not been previously impounded with the city. Owners with older animals do not want to spay/neuter. (f) If upon a second impoundment the animal remains unsterilized, prior to reclamation the owner shall pay applicable reclaim fees and schedule a spay/neuter appointment for the animal at the owner's expense. Animal Services will hold the animal until the appointment and transport the animal to the veterinarian. The owner shall be responsible for picking the animal up from the veterinarian after the sterilization procedure. Owners are not complying with spaying/neutering their animal. ARTICLE VI. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. SEC. 14-452. Food, water, shelter, and shade. (1)(a) Animals. Animals shall be provided with access to shelter constructed of materials sufficient to allow them to remain dry and protected from the element. Is free of surrounding debris or other materials that could endanger the dog. 1)Shelter shall be fully enclosed on three sides the structure shall have a solid attached roof with no gaps, sha,114404•949fe47, and shall have a solid floor attached to the structure. The fourth side for the entrance to the shelter shall be flexible to allow the animal's entry and exit and sturdy enough to block entry of wind or rain, hail, sleet snow, subfreezing temperatures, and any other elements deemed detrimental to the animals health or wellbeing. An owner stated they did have shelter but the shelter was not adequate to protect and keep the animal warm. 3)Clean and dry bedding shall be provided that does not retain moisture in the form of straw or hay. Materials such as blankets, sheets, and towels shall not be considered adequate bedding. If it rains blankets get wet, soggy, and do not dry quickly so an animal cannot stay warm. Lou Kreidler said based on a request to make changes to the ordinance Nicki researched other ordinance across the State and found language that would strengthen and make the ordinance better, The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee approved all the changes with recommendation to the Board for consideration to recommend to Council for approval. Keith Williamson asked for a motion to approve the requested ordinance changes and recommend to Council. Melissa Plowman introduced a motion to accept the ordinance as written and David Carlston seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with the Board's recommendation and endorsement for Council. VII. NEXT MEETING DATE Friday, March 1 I, 2022 VIII. ADJOURN Keith Williamson adjourned the meeting at 12:56 pm. Ale-w-td-.A--x kir ) Sç3ature iht/t7/74-2 k/ t"‘e 144 6 Print Name-Keith Williamson, MD, Chair. Lauren Jansen, PhD, RN, Vice-Chair, Pans Ward, MA, BS, Secretary