Health Department | Page 8

The STI Program staff continued to provide comprehensive wrap-around care and prevention services for individuals at-risk for and/or infected with STIs and HIV in Lake County. This year, the Program:      Increased its HIV testing efforts across Lake County through the use of marketing, events and expanded testing availability. Continued to work to promote Routine HIV Testing in all six Primary Care FQHC health center sites, the Lake County Jail, and the TB Clinic, providing over 7,000 free HIV tests to patients receiving services. Conducted nearly 9,400 HIV tests through the end of November 2014, in conjunction with Primary Care Services, the TB Clinic, the Lake County Jail, Behavioral Health Services and NICASA. Out of the tests completed, identified 27 new positives, yielding a 0.3% overall positivity rate and a 6.7% positivity rate with targeted high risk HIV testing. Strengthened outreach and linkage to care services for all HIV positive individuals residing in Lake County, including Surveillance-Based Linkage to Care and Partner Services interventions, which links identified, out-of-care HIV-positive individuals with needed services. Linkage to care and early initiation of antiretroviral medication not only support the health of HIV positive individuals, but lowering “community viral load” reduces virus transmission and prevents new HIV infections. Goal: Protect and Improve Surface and Groundwater Resources By June 30, 2016, establish a public awareness campaign and identify at least 100 abandoned wells and assure 100% are sealed. Progress: Ahead of Schedule Toward Meeting 2016 Goal This objective is ahead of schedule with 78 abandoned wells identified and sealed as of the end of 2014. In most areas of Lake County substantial amounts of clay exist between the ground surface and the aquifers. These favorable geological conditions are effective at protecting the groundwater that provides the drinking water for over 200,000 county residents. Abandoned water wells, however, provide 8