Public health update: East Brook field inspections, measles watch and intermunicipal assistance

Jim Philbrook, the town’s health agent, reported to the Board of Health on March 11 that Eastport Field has joined the town’s public-health inspection coalition and will receive routine inspections—an outcome the state had been seeking. Philbrook said Eastport Field’s account will be added to the health department inspection schedule and that Molly (staff inspector) will take those visits.

Philbrook also said the department is still distributing COVID test kits and monitoring respiratory illness trends; while cases are trending down in some areas, schools and daycares have continued pockets of respiratory illness and the department remains watchful. Philbrook noted the state epidemiologists are tracking trends and the board will be updated if confirmed communicable cases arise.

Philbrook said the department will provide temporary assistance to neighboring Dudley, where a new health agent (Tom Purcell) is expected to be working but is out of town; Philbrook will conduct an initial set of inspections to address a few delayed items. Roberta Johnson of Dudley was mentioned as coordinating that effort.

Why it matters: joining the local coalition brings Eastport Field into routine inspection coverage; the department’s cross-jurisdictional assistance addresses service gaps and local public-health concerns.

Provenance: Department head reports and public-health items were presented near the end of the meeting during the department reports section.