Indirect Report of NYC Deaths - Total 54

[JimO]

Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...lth&id=6992007

This article quotes the mayor as indicating that NYC has had a total of 54 deaths from H1N1. The most recent published number is 47 deaths, reported on July 8th. That would bring the total for New York to 84.
Mayor to announce swine flu plans
Monday, August 31, 2009 | 5:51 PM

NEW YORK (WABC) -- As New York City prepares for another flu season, national health experts who used to work in the city are releasing some surprising information.

A lot more people than we thought got sick this spring. "In New York City, where we had a lot of H1N1 this past spring, the estimate is about 800,000 people, about 10 percent of New York City residents, got infected with the flu. That's a lot of people," Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said.

Yet Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, in a city of eight million people, he's not surprised. He thought more people would have gotten sick this spring. Fifty-four died from the disease.

"We normally have about a thousand deaths from the flu and a thousand deaths in New York City every year, so 54 is very small. But I point out, if it's in your family, it's a tragedy," Bloomberg said. The mayor has directed about a dozen city hall teams to spend this summer gathering statistics and preparing for the flu season ahead. Of the 54 deaths in the city this spring, they found three-fourths had underlying health problems like diabetes or asthma. Ninety-five percent were younger than 65. That's unusual. Usually 90 percent of flu victims are older than 65.

On Tuesday, the mayor's team will present its long-awaited flu plan -- who'll get inoculated first, how schools might close, and managing emergency rooms. They're planning for all kinds of scenarios. "An optimistic scenario is an awful lot of people have had it and they've developed an immunity, so they won't get it. A second level, not quite as optimistic, is a lot of people will get it, but it will be just as mild as it's been before,'" Bloomberg said.

snip...

[tesseract]

Re: Indirect Report of NYC Deaths - Total 54

Thanks for that article. I've been trying to track the NYC cases. I'd like to see the ages of those 54. Consider the 2006 vital statistics report for NYC for 2006:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/download...vs/2006sum.pdf

There were no deaths in 2006 in the 25 - 54 age group attributed to Influenza/Pneumonia. None. (see page 13 for the age breakdown for that year). Under 25, there were 15. The rest were all over 55, with the majority over 65.

[Shiloh]

Re: Indirect Report of NYC Deaths - Total 54

Another day without NYC stats:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cd-h1n1flu-data.shtml

Data Summary
Those at higher risk of flu complications include:

* People over 65 or under 2 years of age
* Pregnant women
* People with chronic lung problems, such as asthma or emphysema
* People with chronic heart, kidney, liver or blood disorders
* People with neurological disorders that can cause breathing problems
* People with diabetes
* People whose immune systems are weakened due to illness or medication
* People under 18 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy

[prepdeb]

Re: Indirect Report of NYC Deaths - Total 54

There's a video and links at the source

Bloomberg to announce swine flu plans today
Tuesday, September 01,

NEW YORK (WABC) -- As New York City prepares for another flu season, national health experts who used to work in the city are releasing some surprising information.

There is a plan for hospitals and schools, Mayor Bloomberg will be announcing them both today at Gracie Mansion.
A lot more people than we thought got sick this spring.

"In New York City, where we had a lot of H1N1 this past spring, the estimate is about 800,000 people, about 10 percent of New York City residents, got infected with the flu. That's a lot of people," Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said.

Yet Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, in a city of eight million people, he's not surprised. He thought more people would have gotten sick this spring. Fifty-four died from the disease.

"We normally have about a thousand deaths from the flu and a thousand deaths in New York City every year, so 54 is very small. But I point out, if it's in your family, it's a tragedy," Bloomberg said.
The mayor has directed about a dozen city hall teams to spend this summer gathering statistics and preparing for the flu season ahead.

VOTE: Are you worried about swine flu?

Of the 54 deaths in the city this spring, they found three-fourths had underlying health problems like diabetes or asthma.
Ninety-five percent were younger than 65. That's unusual. Usually 90 percent of flu victims are older than 65.

On Tuesday, the mayor's team will present its long-awaited flu plan -- who'll get inoculated first, how schools might close, and managing emergency rooms. They're planning for all kinds of scenarios.
"An optimistic scenario is an awful lot of people have had it and they've developed an immunity, so they won't get it. A second level, not quite as optimistic, is a lot of people will get it, but it will be just as mild as it's been before,'" Bloomberg said.

SUBMIT QUESTIONS: New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines will be a guest on Up Close this Sunday, September 6. Click here to submit a question.

Statewide Swine Flu Prevention Effort
Governor David Paterson on Monday kicked off the "Novel H1N1 Influenza Town Hall Meeting Tour," where he announced a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy and vaccination plan to prepare for the upcoming flu season and possible resurgence of the novel H1N1 flu.

The Governor made the announcement at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School in Albany, during the first of six public information town hall meetings that the Department of Health will convene in cities throughout New York. The forums will provide updates to local officials, schools, and residents on the State's actions to prevent and reduce incidents of the virus in New York.
"Nothing is more important than the health of our families, especially our children. We have aggressively prepared for a return of the novel H1N1 virus this fall and New Yorkers should be confident that their government is doing everything it can to keep their children and families safe and healthy," Governor Paterson said.

Governor Paterson instructed DOH to collaborate with other agencies and local governments to plan and enact measures to reduce the impact of H1N1 flu on the public's health. A H1N1 flu vaccination campaign, which DOH will launch in conjunction with county health departments, will first target those who the federal Centers for Disease Control consider to be at the highest risk for complications from the flu. As more becomes available, New Yorkers outside of the priority groups will have access to the vaccine. DOH will also remind all New Yorkers to receive vaccinations for seasonal influenza.

In addition, the Governor announced new State guidelines to schools that outline how to reduce exposure to novel H1N1 and limit transmission of the flu through school and community-based measures. The State's updated school guidance on novel H1N1 influenza for the 2009-10 School Year is available by downloading this PDF.

Governor Paterson reminded New Yorkers to practice the simple precautionary measures that have been recommended since the novel H1N1 flu first emerged in New York last spring, including washing hands frequently, avoiding people who are ill, and staying home from work or school when sick.
More information about novel H1N1 and New York State's plans for responding to the flu is available at www.nyhealth.gov. New Yorkers with questions about the flu can also call DOH's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-808-1987.

National Swine Flu plans
Of course there is concern of swine flu at the national level. There is going to be an H1N1 briefing at the the Oval Office today.
Several secretaries will be there, as will the Cabinet members and CDC's Director Thomas Frieden, the former NYC Health Commissioner.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=6992007