7305-R2_CIC_October2020_Calendar_Web

Community Matters

I would like to publicly thank Dr. Kip Webb, Chebeague summer resident and medical as well as Public Health expert whose educational videos can be found on the Chebeague.org website under the COVID link. Kip has worked tirelessly to help Chebeague residents gain access to free on-island testing for those with symptoms, or anyone at high risk for contracting COVID-19 (for example, someone who has had close contact with a person who recently tested positive for the virus). Kip’s expertise and hard work, along with the help of Dr Jim Cox-Chapman, has been instrumental in forming the Chebeague COVID Testing Team (CCTT), a group of volunteer health professionals who offer a safe, reliable on-island COVID “swab and send” test so that a person at high risk for COVID is not taking the boat and potentially exposing others to the virus. I also wants to express my gratitude to our minister, Melissa Yosua-Davis, for securing sponsorship from the Methodist Church for the CCTT to access funding from the Recompense Fund, so the CCTT is able to pay for supplies, pager and e-fax servcies, and sample transport, in order for the CCTT to do its work. As of mid-September, the CCTT has performed almost 100 tests on Chebeague since July 5th. With only a few positive cases that were unrelated, this testing helped ensure the store, the Island Commons, the Town office, the Slow Bell, and other on island organizations could continue to operate safely, as well as expanding the access to information about the virus, which we think helped prevent an outbreak.The CCTT has now been used as a model for other Maine communities. I also want to acknowledge

the contributions of Bev Johnson, Leila Bisherat, Chip Emory, and Eliza Jane Adams for helping design and disseminate information for use by all on Chebeague to stay safe and healthy. A final thank you goes to the many volunteers such as Donna Damon who have tranposted the cooler bag to Uniship so that safe transport to the State lab can occur in a timely fashion. Though Kip and Jim are heading home to California and Connecticut respectively, the CCTT will continue to operate this fall, thanks to other health professionals here on the island stepping in to volunteer, including Nancy Hill, RN, Ann Bowman, RN and Jackie Trask, retired RN. If you think you may have COVID, the first thing to do is contact your PCP. If they agree you should get tested, and you want to do it on island, please text the CCTT volunteer on duty at 347-656-7524 or leave a voice message at 207-264-0007 and the volunteer will get back within a few hours to discuss your situation and arrange for your test; testing is typically offered twice a week. If for whatever reason you do not get a reply in a few hours, call me- Jenny Hackel, RN team leader at 734-660-3461 and leave a detailed message.

Remember, since the CCTT is not providing medical care, only increasing access to the test, so be sure to follow the instructions of your PCP. The CCTT viral samples are transported to the Maine CDC state lab in Augusta by courier and are free of charge. Most test results turn around in 72 hours or less, and the test report will be sent by the volunteer to your email which you can then share with your PCP. -Jennifer Hackel The Wellness Center with a MaineHealth Nurse Is Open for Blood Draws, Blood Pressure Checks, PT/INR Testing, Medication Setup, Dressing Changes, Suture Removal, Wellness Checks, and Health Information. No appointment needed. No charge for these services. Tuesday October 13 th and 27 th 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Flu Clinic Oct. 7 9-11am at the CICC

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OCTOBER 2020 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR