Category: Board Updates Page 1 of 8

Thanks to the more than 160 Orcas households who tuned in to last week’s Community Briefing with Island Hospital. For anyone who wasn’t able to make it, you can access the recording HERE.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the next Community Briefing scheduled for March 18th at 5 pm. More details and registration information will be provided as we get closer to the date.

Please note that the District Office will be moving to a new location the first week of March. You will soon be able to visit us at our new location: 410 Prune Alley, Unit B. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Commissioners or Superintendent Presson with any questions. Contact information can be found on the website.

The Agenda for the February 16, 2021 Regular meeting of the OIHCD Board is now posted. You can access the information HERE.

The meeting starts at 5 pm and will be remote. To attend the meeting please see Zoom details below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85134542271?pwd=aWV2aDRkcWRURzJJcGZDdGZ2ZXpiUT09

Dial by Phone:  1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID:       851 3454 2271
Passcode:          257890

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2/16 ORCAS VACCINE CLINIC INFO – FROM THE SJC WEBSITE

To those registered for the upcoming Orcas vaccine clinics on Tuesday and Wednesday: the County is working hard to ensure that everyone who isn’t able to come to town on Tuesday due to road conditions will still be able to get their vaccine at another time (hopefully on Friday). No one should put themselves at risk in order to make their appointment.

Please DO NOT cancel your appointment. The County will be reaching out to any no shows.

Hopefully the rain clears the roads. If you can make it safely to your appointment, please do so at your scheduled time. Otherwise, you will be contacted.

The Agenda and meeting materials for the February 2nd OIHCD Regular Board Meeting can be found HERE.

Join Zoom Meeting at 5 pm – 7 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88439482528?pwd=cHpZcnhRYlhkTjdxV3dYZStySHlaZz09

Dial by phone  +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 884 3948 2528
Passcode: 886400

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On Monday January 18th, Governor Inslee and the WA State DOH authorized delivery of vaccine to those in the Phase 1b Tier 1 eligibility group (note that the eligibility age has been reduced to 65 or over). Please remember that vaccine supplies are still extremely limited, and it is estimated that approximately 5,000 San Juan County residents will qualify for the first Tier of Phase 1b.

Islanders who are Phase 1b Tier 1 eligible and would like to learn more about how to receive a vaccine should carefully read this document. Please remember that until the Federal government vaccine supply increases, a very small number of San Juan County residents will be able to be immunized, regardless of Phase eligibility.

You can access the vaccine updates and yesterday’s Media Release from the County HERE.

The 1/19/21 OIHCD Board meeting packet is now available and can be accessed HERE.

The meeting starts at 5 pm and should conclude at 7 pm. Representatives from Island Hospital are scheduled to provide the Commissioners with a short update on the transition.

Details on how to participate can be found below, on the Calendar Tab of the website, and on the Agenda:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81384853035?pwd=cHVkOU54eFJybXo4NThPZHRMYzREQT09

Dial by Phone:  +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 813 8485 3035
Passcode: 270941

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OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released guidance for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination. The department worked closely with the Governor’s Office to finalize prioritization for phase 1B, and we are pleased to be able to share eligible groups for this next phase of vaccination. This phase is broken up into four separate tiers.

In addition to partnership with Gov. Inslee and reliance on federal guidance, nearly 20,000 people across the state weighed in on the prioritization through focus groups, interviews, and surveys over the past few months. This feedback directly informed our recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine prioritization and allocation, and continues to help us make sure our vaccine plans are equitable and protect those most at risk from COVID-19 infections.

“Vaccine prioritization decisions are complex, but based in a need for equitable distribution,” says Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah. “Our priority has been to get the vaccine to high-priority people first.”

This graphic shows the groups and the timeline for phase 1B.

It’s important to note that we are not moving into phase 1B right now. Our state is still in phase 1A (PDF) of vaccinations, and will continue to be for the next few weeks. Many pharmacies, clinics and hospitals are vaccinating people in 1A1 (tier 1), and others have moved to 1A2 (tier 2). While phase 1A is still the priority, we hope that the release of phase 1B guidance will help facilities, counties and individuals plan for the months ahead.

Once we’re ready to start phase 1B, we will let our communities know how and where to get vaccine. For now we appreciate everyone’s patience.

The Agenda and materials for the first Regular Board meeting of the New Year can be found HERE.

See below for instructions as to how you can join the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89958154546?pwd=QWtydGcwcWM1WVVoT0FRd0J6VUNTZz09

Dial by phone:  +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 899 5815 4546
Passcode: 963262

One tap mobile
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Please join leaders from OIHCD and Island Hospital to hear about their joint vision for the new, single clinic coming to Orcas in the spring of 2021. The online meeting will be held from 5 pm – 6 pm on Thursday, 12/17.

In addition to primary, same-day and after-hours care, Island Hospital’s model will include a close collaboration with all community partners, including Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.

Island Hospital CEO, Charles Hall, will provide an update on the transition plans. He will also offer insights into the region’s COVID activity and response, and developments on the COVID vaccine. In addition to Charles, Chief Williams and OIHCD Commissioner Art Lange will be on hand to answer your questions.

We hope you will join us to learn more about the exciting future of health care on Orcas, and take this opportunity to have your questions answered.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85643428155?pwd=eTN1MEptR2lTd21XQ2lIZTVLQ29yQT09

Dial by phone:  +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 856 4342 8155
Passcode: 350576

The 12/15 Regular Meeting of the OIHCD has been cancelled. The Board will resume meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5 pm.

Wishing everyone in the community a very safe and healthy holiday season. We look forward to the year ahead.