Roehl_JC
Moderator
A 55-year-old man from Mississippi, who was the first diagnosed hospitalization of the H1N1 virus in Nacogdoches, died early Thursday at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, hospital officials said.Tim Hayward, Memorial CEO, said the man came into the hospital three days ago with flu-like symptoms, pneumonia being the most predominant diagnosis.
He said the man had a roommate who was close in age, who came into the hospital with similar symptoms and is still listed in critical condition in the hospital's ICU. Both men were working in the Melrose community, reportedly on an oil rig located in the area.
"All patients who present flu-like symptoms and pneumonia will go into isolation until we rule out their diagnoses," Hayward said.
He said the hospital has contacted the epidemiology unit of the Texas Department of State Health Services in Tyler and notified them of the situation
"They're providing some guidance and support," he said.
He said the hospital began stockpiling supplies, training staff and ordering vaccines months ago in preparation for "these eventualities" of H1N1.
"When we started getting vaccines, we started vaccinating all the first responders, hospital personnel and emergency personnel," he said. "The state of Texas as a whole is at a very low level as far as alert goes. Now that we've had some deaths, we'll go into the next phase of our planning process, and that's to push out the vaccines."
The hospital is working with other local and state health organizations and will have a shot clinic from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Nacogdoches County Expo Center, according to Kim Barton, community relations director at Memorial Hospital and Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English.
Barton said Memorial and Nacogdoches Medical Center will work together to present the clinic, combining doses of H1N1 vaccines as well as additional vaccines expected Friday from the Department of Health and administer them to those who are considered at risk. People in the high risk groups, which include pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than six months, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone 6 months to 24 years old and anyone 25 to 64 who has a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system, should get immunized.
The clinic will also utilize nursing students from Stephen F. Austin State University and Angelina College to administer the vaccines.
Hayward said it's important for people to continue with the same good habits to prevent getting sick ? practice good hand-washing practices and good cough etiquette, and if they're sick to see their doctor.
"In Nacogdoches, our typical flu season really goes on the rise after the Thanksgiving holidays," Hayward said. "People go to visit their relatives and mingle out in the general world, and when they come back, we start to see flu rise. And it carries all the way through to New Year's."
http://www.dailysentinel.com/servic.../misc_h1n1_death_112009.html?cxtype=ynews_rss
He said the man had a roommate who was close in age, who came into the hospital with similar symptoms and is still listed in critical condition in the hospital's ICU. Both men were working in the Melrose community, reportedly on an oil rig located in the area.
"All patients who present flu-like symptoms and pneumonia will go into isolation until we rule out their diagnoses," Hayward said.
He said the hospital has contacted the epidemiology unit of the Texas Department of State Health Services in Tyler and notified them of the situation
"They're providing some guidance and support," he said.
He said the hospital began stockpiling supplies, training staff and ordering vaccines months ago in preparation for "these eventualities" of H1N1.
"When we started getting vaccines, we started vaccinating all the first responders, hospital personnel and emergency personnel," he said. "The state of Texas as a whole is at a very low level as far as alert goes. Now that we've had some deaths, we'll go into the next phase of our planning process, and that's to push out the vaccines."
The hospital is working with other local and state health organizations and will have a shot clinic from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Nacogdoches County Expo Center, according to Kim Barton, community relations director at Memorial Hospital and Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English.
Barton said Memorial and Nacogdoches Medical Center will work together to present the clinic, combining doses of H1N1 vaccines as well as additional vaccines expected Friday from the Department of Health and administer them to those who are considered at risk. People in the high risk groups, which include pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than six months, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone 6 months to 24 years old and anyone 25 to 64 who has a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system, should get immunized.
The clinic will also utilize nursing students from Stephen F. Austin State University and Angelina College to administer the vaccines.
Hayward said it's important for people to continue with the same good habits to prevent getting sick ? practice good hand-washing practices and good cough etiquette, and if they're sick to see their doctor.
"In Nacogdoches, our typical flu season really goes on the rise after the Thanksgiving holidays," Hayward said. "People go to visit their relatives and mingle out in the general world, and when they come back, we start to see flu rise. And it carries all the way through to New Year's."
http://www.dailysentinel.com/servic.../misc_h1n1_death_112009.html?cxtype=ynews_rss
