Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Kids hospitalized with influenza-like symptoms
Posted By North Bay Nugget
Posted 3 mins ago
Five children under the age of 12 have been hospitalized with influenza-like symptoms, according to the medical officer of health.
Dr. Jim Chirico of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit said it hasn?t been confirmed if any of the patients at the North Bay and District Hospital have H1N1.
He said there have been no patients with flu-like symptoms admitted into the hospital?s intensive care unit.
?But we do anticipate it will get worse and some will end up in the ICU,? Chirico said during a media conference Tuesday at the health unit?s Cassells Street location.
?It?s going to happen and it?s unfortunate. This virus attacks younger people and one death is too many but it?s likely there will be more deaths,? he said.
A Toronto family is mourning the death of a 13-year-old boy who died from the H1N1 virus Monday.
And in Parry Sound, a woman in her 50s died from complications to influenza-like illness, although it hasn?t been confirmed as H1N1. Testing continues.
Chirico said she had ?severe underlying health concerns.?
The hospital?s emergency room has also been inundated with people suffering flu-like symptoms.
In the meantime, changes have been made to accommodate those wanting the H1N1 vaccine.
The final vaccination specifically for high-risk individuals in North Bay will take place today at Memorial Gardens from noon to 6 p.m. The first clinic was Monday at the Rorab Shrine Club.
?It?s a much better location for the volume of people we?re seeing,? Chirico said, although he couldn?t say how many vaccinations were administered Monday.
Clinics are being held in Mattawa Thursday and Sturgeon Falls Friday. Vaccinations for the public will begin Saturday at Widdifield Secondary School at 9 a.m.
Although the logistics are in place more vaccinations are needed.
Chirico said the health unit received 5,000 doses last week and another shipment was expected to arrive on the weekend but never came.
He said the province acquired one million doses Monday and some should be on the way to North Bay.
?I anticipate we will use the entire 5,000 doses we now have and I?m hopeful we will get more tomorrow,? Chirico said Tuesday.
?But if we run out we run out . . . I have to rely on the system and the province,? he said.
?We want to get it in people?s arms as quickly as possible, but we also have to realize it?s not the only treatment.?
Chirico said the health unit has plenty of Tamiflu stock, which helps prevent and treat flu-like illnesses.
?The public needs to be reassured that the majority of those infected with the virus feel rotten for a couple of days, but they will get better,? he said.
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2150472
Posted By North Bay Nugget
Posted 3 mins ago
Five children under the age of 12 have been hospitalized with influenza-like symptoms, according to the medical officer of health.
Dr. Jim Chirico of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit said it hasn?t been confirmed if any of the patients at the North Bay and District Hospital have H1N1.
He said there have been no patients with flu-like symptoms admitted into the hospital?s intensive care unit.
?But we do anticipate it will get worse and some will end up in the ICU,? Chirico said during a media conference Tuesday at the health unit?s Cassells Street location.
?It?s going to happen and it?s unfortunate. This virus attacks younger people and one death is too many but it?s likely there will be more deaths,? he said.
A Toronto family is mourning the death of a 13-year-old boy who died from the H1N1 virus Monday.
And in Parry Sound, a woman in her 50s died from complications to influenza-like illness, although it hasn?t been confirmed as H1N1. Testing continues.
Chirico said she had ?severe underlying health concerns.?
The hospital?s emergency room has also been inundated with people suffering flu-like symptoms.
In the meantime, changes have been made to accommodate those wanting the H1N1 vaccine.
The final vaccination specifically for high-risk individuals in North Bay will take place today at Memorial Gardens from noon to 6 p.m. The first clinic was Monday at the Rorab Shrine Club.
?It?s a much better location for the volume of people we?re seeing,? Chirico said, although he couldn?t say how many vaccinations were administered Monday.
Clinics are being held in Mattawa Thursday and Sturgeon Falls Friday. Vaccinations for the public will begin Saturday at Widdifield Secondary School at 9 a.m.
Although the logistics are in place more vaccinations are needed.
Chirico said the health unit received 5,000 doses last week and another shipment was expected to arrive on the weekend but never came.
He said the province acquired one million doses Monday and some should be on the way to North Bay.
?I anticipate we will use the entire 5,000 doses we now have and I?m hopeful we will get more tomorrow,? Chirico said Tuesday.
?But if we run out we run out . . . I have to rely on the system and the province,? he said.
?We want to get it in people?s arms as quickly as possible, but we also have to realize it?s not the only treatment.?
Chirico said the health unit has plenty of Tamiflu stock, which helps prevent and treat flu-like illnesses.
?The public needs to be reassured that the majority of those infected with the virus feel rotten for a couple of days, but they will get better,? he said.
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2150472