When I heard of the grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were being cancelled, I asked McHenry County Public Health Director Melissa Adamson if we had been affected.
She didn’t know at the time, but said she would get back to me.
Here is what her email said yesterday:
“We have received notice that our Respiratory Surveillance and Outbreak Response Grant was terminated.
“The grant is $600,000 and includes the following activities:
- Education on prevention of respiratory illnesses (e.g., media campaigns)
- Surveillance, investigation, control, and reporting of respiratory outbreaks
- Onsite infection prevention education in high-risk congregate settings; guidance & consultation to LTCFs for outbreak mgt.
UPDATE from Adamson: Approximately 56% of the total award was budgeted for personnel, offsetting salary and fringe for three existing positions. No new positions were created on this grant.
