Jones County Board of Health members heard about Georgia’s high HIV numbers and a change in body art rules at their March quarterly meeting.
The March 20 meeting was called to order by Jones County’s Board of Health Chairman Ed Barbee. The meeting had been postponed from the regularly scheduled meeting March 6 to have a quorum present.
The first item of new business was an introduction to the Hope Center by Dr. Jeremy Aguinaldo. The speaker said the Hope Center helps manage HIV and AIDS in Georgia and serves Jones County. The facility is located at 180 Emery Highway in Macon.
The doctor said the Hope Center has treated people with HIV/AIDS in Middle Georgia for more than 35 years. He stated that Georgia is number one in the nation for new infections, but the numbers are getting better.
Aguinaldo said there is no cure, but the virus can be managed with medication.
“We can get it down to unaffected, and it can’t be transmitted,” he said.
The doctor said the medications work well when taken consistently. He said the center can help patients get the medications and housing and has mental health counselors.
“We work with all 13 counties and even have transportation services,” he said.
Aguinaldo said approximately 120 people out of 100,000 test positive for HIV.
Barbee said he remembers HIV/AIDS being prominent years ago, but it seemed to die down. He said now it appears to be back to the forefront, and he is seeing a lot of advertisements.
Aguinaldo said it did seem interest was lost, but HIV is still here. He said the stigma of the disease impedes progress with its management.
“We are hoping it gets more comfortable. There are more options for treatment and prevention,” he said.
Environmental Specialist Margaret Graham brought the next item of new business, the state’s new body art rules. She said Georgia passed new body art rules in October of 2023.
Graham said Jones County passed its own rules in 2016 that are more strict than the state rules. She said all permit holders have a year to come in compliance with the state rules.
“We have one facility that is permitted, and she only does microblading,” the specialist said. “We need the county to get rid of its rules.”
Graham said the state changes pertain to the sanitation and piercing processes and updated training requirements. She said they would begin enforcement under the new state rules in October.
Board member Charles Lundy made the motion to revoke the county body art rules as requested, and the vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
Reports
Graham presented the first quarterly report. She said the county has 53 permitted food facilities, and 26 routine food inspections were performed for the quarter. The report included 23 new septic inspections, 12 septic repair permits and 41 follow-up septic inspections.
There were 13 new well permits and 13 wells tested.
The specialist said all fees had been paid but one, and they were working on that one. She also noted that there were several new food trucks. Her report concluded with the approval of renovations to the kitchen of Dames Ferry Elementary School.
Nursing director Sherry Bryant said the total nursing services in Jones County for the quarter was 517, including 351 immunizations.
“Our numbers are not impressive, but we are working on ways to see more patients,” she said.
Bryant said they are working on an article for a local magazine and getting information to the churches.
“We are trying to reach out to the community,” she said.
Sylvia Woodford presented the finance report. She said the total revenues, as of Feb. 29, were $1,107,018 and total expenditures $1,205,970. Woodford said the overage in expenses was due to the building renovation, and money would be moved from local reserves to cover it.
She said Feb. 29 represents 67 percent of the fiscal year, and budget meetings would be scheduled next month.
Woodford spoke briefly about an issue with a billing vendor that caused a slowdown in the posting of payments. She said they are working to repair the program and have temporarily reverted to a previous vendor.
Interim North Central Health District Director Dr. Thomas Craft spoke at the meeting via Zoom. He said the district is approaching the end of flu season, but it’s not over yet.
“The numbers are staying high but dropping. We are hoping there are no more spikes,” he said.
Craft said the CDC is recommending treating COVID-19 infections like other illnesses. He said those affected can return to activities 24 hours after the fever is gone.
“For the most part, treat it like the flu,” he said.
The speaker said a second booster is recommended for anyone 65 and over and anyone with health issues.
Craft reiterated that Georgia was number one for new HIV cases. He encouraged taking medications and prevention. He also noted that birth control dispensaries are being brought back to health departments.
The meeting was adjourned at the conclusion of Craft’s remarks.
The next meeting of the Jones County Board of Health is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., June 5.
