http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/4479253.Radical_treatment_shift_as_swine_flu_escalates/
Radical treatment shift as swine flu escalates
4:36pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
SWINE flu is spreading so quickly in Hertfordshire that GPs are prescribing drugs as soon as they suspect a patient has the virus without waiting for it to be confirmed by laboratory tests.
Director of public health Jane Halpin said: ?The approach we have taken up to now has been helpful in slowing the spread of swine flu but as there is now a significant level of transmission it is appropriate to make these changes and put in place the mechanism within the county to make sure people who do contract swine flu are treated promptly and appropriately.
?As the number of cases has been rising, we have been continuing preparations so that we can continue to provide this service and we have also been planning for vaccination in due course. We will be increasing our focus on this work in the coming weeks.
?Schools are not now closing if they have cases of swine flu unless they have special circumstances or too many staff are absent for the school to keep running. Parents should ensure their child stays away from school if they do develop the illness, but otherwise, it is business as usual in Hertfordshire schools and children should be attending school as usual for the remainder of the term.
?We do not know exactly how many people in Hertfordshire have contracted the virus because cases are no longer being lab tested. But it does appear that numbers so far are not high enough to have any significant impact on businesses or services. And in the vast majority of cases, the illness is mild and people are recovering quickly.?
Radical treatment shift as swine flu escalates
4:36pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
SWINE flu is spreading so quickly in Hertfordshire that GPs are prescribing drugs as soon as they suspect a patient has the virus without waiting for it to be confirmed by laboratory tests.
Director of public health Jane Halpin said: ?The approach we have taken up to now has been helpful in slowing the spread of swine flu but as there is now a significant level of transmission it is appropriate to make these changes and put in place the mechanism within the county to make sure people who do contract swine flu are treated promptly and appropriately.
?As the number of cases has been rising, we have been continuing preparations so that we can continue to provide this service and we have also been planning for vaccination in due course. We will be increasing our focus on this work in the coming weeks.
?Schools are not now closing if they have cases of swine flu unless they have special circumstances or too many staff are absent for the school to keep running. Parents should ensure their child stays away from school if they do develop the illness, but otherwise, it is business as usual in Hertfordshire schools and children should be attending school as usual for the remainder of the term.
?We do not know exactly how many people in Hertfordshire have contracted the virus because cases are no longer being lab tested. But it does appear that numbers so far are not high enough to have any significant impact on businesses or services. And in the vast majority of cases, the illness is mild and people are recovering quickly.?