PUBLIC HEALTH
Jones County Board of Health members met the interim director for the North Central Health District at their recent quarterly meeting.
Dr. Thomas Craft was introduced at the Dec.7 quarterly Board meeting. The interim director started his remarks with an overview of his background.
He is currently the District Health Director for the South Central Heath District in Dublin and has served in that position since 2018.
Prior to moving into public health, he was in part of a 10-partner primary care practice in Dublin and specialized in family practice for more than 24 years.
Craft said public health presents the opportunity to affect a whole population of people and provide good healthcare.
“I’m in a neighboring district and glad to work with the NCHD,” he said.
Craft said his plan is to be involved in finding the right person to become the district’s director.
He said he tries to be knowledgeable in what is going on with public health in the state.
“We want to develop relationships to help great things happen in public health,” he said.
Craft talked about new policies in the works for third-party food delivery apps.
“We need to make sure people receive healthy foods,” he said.
The director said birth control is moving to over the counter, and it is important to make sure it is done wisely. He said there is talk of the expansion of Emergency Management Services where it is needed, and the opioid epidemic is everywhere.
Craft said there is a move to provide pet venues in restaurants, and antivaxxers are now wanting rabies exemptions.
“That’s concerning because if untreated, rabies is 99.9 percent fatal,” he said.
The director said he is open to other topics as well.
“I want to make sure public health operates as it should,” he said.
Business meeting
The quarterly meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Ed Barbee, and a building update was first on the agenda.
Morris Hutcheson with the NCHD said demolition had begun on the inside of the Jones County Health Department Building by Stafford Builders. He said health department staff were moved in October.
“We appreciate the Board of Education for providing the space,” he said.
Hutcheson said there may be a delay in receiving the hardware for the heating and air unit, but he is confident the project will be completed on time and under budget.
“I hope by this time next year we will be moving into a new building,” he said.
Reports
Reports began with Environmental Specialist Margaret Graham. The report was the for period of July through September. Graham said building had slowed, and there were more permits for septic repair than for new systems.
She said revenue would go up next quarter because the increased fees had been sent out.
“Scooters Coffee is open and getting great reviews,” Graham commented.
She also mentioned that El Sombrero and Bent Axle were both under new management.
Nursing director Sherry Bryant presented the nursing report. She said the numbers are good for FY23, and it feels like they are seeing more patients since they moved to the temporary location.
Bryant said they have done some COVID boosters at nursing homes and plan to do more. She also reported school audits were completed at all schools with the exception of the high school.
Bryant said an all-day clinic was held Nov. 29 to help get caught up.
Sylvia Woodford with NCHD presented the financial statement for the period ending Oct. 31. She said the total revenues were $232,162.16 and total expenditures $279,210.15. the total cash in the bank was $737,311.68.
Woodford also spoke about the 2022 audit. She said the audit was for the period ending June 30, and it was a good audit. She added that the county’s net financial position had increased by $100,000.
Joycelyn Love presented the epidemiology report. She said Jones County was considered low spread for COVID, and there was no longer the need to quarantine if exposed to the virus. She said the recommendation is to wear a mask for five days after contact.
Love said there were 39 cases of Monkey Pox in Georgia. She said the health department can test for it, and vaccines are available for those at high risk.
Love said there are high level of flu across the district and in schools. She added it is important to receive the vaccine.
The next quarterly meeting of the Jones County Board of Health is March 1.
