NEW ULM — Brown County Public Health Director Jaimee Brand told county commissioners Tuesday that her department continues to monitor COVID 19 and influenza-like activity and the Minnesota Department of Health updates data every Thursday.

“Currently, COVID and influenza cases reported for the south central region appear to be low,” read Brand’s report. She said Thursday that there have been 8,091 Brown County COVID cases since the start of case number tracking. Brand added that here have been 91 cumulative deaths in Brown County with the last one reported in February 2023. There were 24 April cases with four hospitalizations and two May cases with one hospitalization. In addition, Brand said there have been 435 confirmed Brown County cases since Nov. 1, 2022 and 257 confirmed cases since Jan. 1, 2023.

Brand said most recent COVID data does not account for at home tests which are not reported.

“No-cost vaccinations remain. People seeking vaccinations can call for an appointment,” said Brand.

Most unvaccinated people should receive a single COVID-19 valent vaccine dose rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccine.

For people previously vaccinated with a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine who have not yet received a bivalent vaccine dose, a single bivalent vaccine dose is recommended.

People age 65 and older who received a single bivalent vaccine dose may receive another dose at least four months followed their initial bivalent dose.

People with certain immunocompromised conditions who got a bivalent vaccine may receive an a single additional dose of the bivalent vaccine at least two months apart.

Additional doses may be administered at intervals with of their health care provider.

Commissioners unanimously approved increasing Public Health Nurse Jackeline Avolos from 29 hours per pay period to 40 hours per pay week due to additional work duties of the job, motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Commissioner Tony Berg.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl said the addition net cost to the county would be close to zero.

“I appreciate it when we cut back and move forward. You’re doing your homework,” Windschitl said. Borchert said he agreed and that the request for board action pointed it out well.

During the COVID-19 response, Brown County Public Health did not accept medication management program admissions.

Since the COVID-19 demobilization, public health has worked diligently to connect with human services, local clinics and local homecare agencies to re-educate about the medication management program. With more outreach and admittance, the program grew from 16 to 28 clients.

At the current pay rate, increasing the position from .73 to 1.0 would add $28,800 to the public health budget. Public health has funding sources to increase from 29 to 40 hours a pay week.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) infrastructure grant awarded to Brown County to increase the local public health workforce would be about $18,991/year for five years.

For more information, visit co.brown.mn.us or call 233-6820.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).