Photo by: Josie Burkhart
Belmont County Deputy Health Officer Rob Sproul (left) discusses motions and resolutions during Monday’s Health Committee meeting as committee member Dr. Renato Dela Cruz listens.
After 15 years as a member of the Belmont County Health Department, Dr. Renato Dela Cruz becomes Medical Director and Health Officer.
As required by law, board members presented Dela Cruz with a plaque on Monday for his 15 years of service as a physician on the board.
Deputy Health Commissioner Rob Sproul said Dela Cruz is the panel’s go-to person whenever there are questions about illness or care.
When Dela Cruz takes over as medical director, he and nursing director Gabby Timko take care of a tuberculosis patient.
“Having that resource on the board helped us make decisions and ensure we were getting the right care to the right person,” Sproul said.
Timko mentioned that a major problem for the board was the tuberculosis patient. Timko worked with Dela Cruz to get the patient under the care of an infectious disease doctor since the patient did not want to take medication.
Timko noted that the patient is not an active tuberculosis patient because his test was negative, but he still needs to take medication.
The patient previously had tuberculosis and completed treatment in September 2023 before testing positive again in January 2024 and resuming treatment in February.
As Dela Cruz takes on a new role, the receptionist will be leaving the company and being replaced.
The board also hired a new nurse, Carol Tipton, as coordinator for the scholarship for children with medical disabilities.
The board discussed the epidemiological report on diseases in Belmont County, with Lyme disease and COVID-19 currently prevalent. Sproul said that with Lyme disease, it is important to educate people on how ticks work.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.
“Most people become infected through the bites of immature ticks, called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny (less than 2 mm) and difficult to detect; they feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme disease bacteria, but they are much larger and are more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria,” the ODH said.
The region is a hotspot for the disease. Harrison County has had the highest number of cases per capita in the state over the past decade. So far this year, Belmont and Harrison counties have each reported six cases, Jefferson County 12 and Monroe County one.
“If you find a tick on your body, remove it quickly to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease,” the ODH advises. “If you become ill, seek medical attention. Lyme disease is curable. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent further health problems related to Lyme disease.”
Meanwhile, the board also discussed Overdose Awareness Day, which will be held on August 30th from noon to 3 p.m. at St. Clairsville Memorial Park. Refreshments, information and free items will be offered during Awareness Day. A butterfly release ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. to remember those who have lost their lives to drug overdoses.
Members also approved a contract with Kane Learning to provide equity training for Belmont County Health Department employees.
The Board approved another request for a refund of $250 to Greg Martin for a septic tank assessment because the septic tank assessment appointment had been canceled, as well as a request for a refund of a design application fee because another contractor had been hired to complete the design.
Members approved two resolutions – Resolution No. 5 to appropriate funds from the General County Health Account for the purchase of food items not to exceed $250 for the purpose of Overdose Awareness Day and Resolution No. 6 to provisionally award contracts from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund.
The next board meeting will be held on September 9 at 12:00 p.m. at the Belmont County 911 Building, 68331 Bannock Road, Ohio 331, St. Clairsville.
