News – Tuesday, April 1st 2025

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, March 20th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of February. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, while there were 46 active lead cases, 147 Influenza A cases exceeding January’s number of 84, which both of which are the highest numbers since December of 2022, one animal bite report, and there were 8 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 10 total tests. The February environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 5 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and no environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one car seat distributed, no CPR Courses, no consultations for Childcare Health, one Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, no Title X appointments were reported, there was one Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), and 334 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 358 total appointments other than WIC, 155 total provider appointments, 90 treatment court visits, 165 lab appointments and 33 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed was one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 5 family plannings, 1 well-child visit, 16 online appointments, 3 other well-woman exams, 2 other physicals, no SEMO physicals, 16 other visits, and 66 acute illness appointments. Physician Service Details showed no well-visits, no online appointments, one other physical, no SEMO Physicals, 14 other visits, and 42 acute illness visits. Laboratory details showed 138 individual patients, 34 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, pregnancy tests were not reported, and there were 16 lead tests reported. Phlebotomy Appointments totaled 115, while all Lab Appointments totaled 165. Immunizations for February totaled 6 for COVID-19, 7 for Influenza, and 69 other vaccines given for a total of 82 total doses given during 33 total appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Health Center would conduct a Health Fair May 2nd, plus he reported on the Community Health Assessment meeting with community leaders held March 12th. He shared the report from Jessica Ricks, MPH, Population Health Director, on the CHA visioning meeting. The draft survey questions were shared and a timeline for the rest of the project was laid out. Moser updated the Board on the audit which was moving into the “Single Audit” portion. The lease agreement with the Dent County Soil and Water Conservation District was shared, followed by the consideration of proposals from Family Trash Service and GFL for waste collection. DCHC financials for February were reviewed, discussed, and approved. Zach shared the draft of the DCHC Annual Report and the Mutual Aid Resolution 2025-01, which was adopted by the Board. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, April 17th, 2025, at 5:00.

The City of Salem Utility Committee convened for a special meeting last Wednesday evening at 6:15  in the Old City Hall Auditorium, to review proposed amendments to the utility policy. The recommended changes encompassed several key updates, including: clarifying office closure protocols to explicitly define closures approved by the Mayor and Board President, revising deposit information to align with the current details on the City of Salem’s website, and addressing minor grammatical inconsistencies. These proposed modifications are intended to enhance the clarity and precision of the Utility Policies.