To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Approval of Amendment Number 001 to the MOU, Regarding the Provision of Services for the Continuation of Laboratory Testing of Samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW Antigen Test at the CDPH Valencia Branch State Public Health Laboratory
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and ratify the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Director’s execution of the attached MOU with CDPH regarding the provision of services for the continuation of laboratory testing of samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test at the CDPH Valencia Branch State Public Health Laboratory;
2. Approve, and authorize the DHHS - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached amendment number 001 to the MOU with CDPH regarding the provision of services for the continuation of laboratory testing of samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test at the CDPH Valencia Branch State Public Health Laboratory; and
3. Authorize the DHHS - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached MOU with CDPH, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175)
DISCUSSION:
On March 11, 2020, the Humboldt County Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thereafter, on March 26, 2020 (Item D-1), the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 20-25 which authorized department heads, or designees thereof, to execute agreements related to a declared emergency with the requirement that such agreements be subsequently ratified by the Board of Supervisors. Pursuant to Resolution No. 20-25, on October 5, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Director executed the attached agreement with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which is intended to address the impacts associated with, and further strengthen the County of Humboldt’s response to, the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement was executed by CDPH on October 13, 2021, with the term effective upon that date. This item comes late before your Board for ratification due to recent receipt of the fully executed MOU from CDPH.
The ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and approval of the attached amendment number 001 to the MOU with CDPH allows Humboldt County DHHS - Public Health to continue laboratory testing of samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test. The MOU’s term is set to expire after thirty days of the lifting of the declaration of the COVID-19 state of emergency in California. The subsequent amendment before your Board today extends the term through June 30, 2023 to allow for continued testing beyond the lifting of the emergency as needed.
Accordingly, DHHS - Public Health recommends that the Board ratify the MOU with CDPH, and approve, and authorize the DHHS - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached amendment number 001 to the MOU. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached MOU with CDPH regarding the continuation of laboratory testing, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed testing services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no direct costs associated with the attached MOU and amendment number 001 with the California Department of Public Health regarding the County of Humboldt’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, approval of the attached agreements with the California Department of Public Health will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding and amendment number 001 with the California Department of Public Health regarding the provision of consultation services that are designed to support the continued laboratory testing of samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would limit DHHS - Public Health’s ability to provide for performing molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Amendment Number 001 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Public Health Regarding CDPH Antigen Testing Laboratories
2. Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Public Health Regarding the Provision of Services for the continuation of laboratory testing of samples for SARS- CoV-2 using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test at the CDPH Valencia Branch State Public Health Laboratory.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-1; D-8
Meeting of: 03/26/20; 09/29/2020
File No.: 20-419; 20-1217