Press Release
FEBRUARY 15th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
NEWS
MEDIA ONLY: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE: 561-671-4013
or press50@doh.state.fl.us |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL— The Palm
Beach County Health
Department is continuing its
surveillance and monitoring
of the H1N1 Swine flu virus.
The County’s thirteenth
death was confirmed today in
a 32 year old female who was
hospitalized. To date the
county has seen 93 persons
hospitalized with the virus
and 45 of those people were
admitted to the ICU.
Health Department Director,
Alina Alonso, M.D. said, “We
extend our sincere
sympathies to the family of
this young woman. We want to
remind residents that this
pandemic continues to claim
lives and unfortunately the
virus is still very much
active. H1N1 infection is
preventable by getting
vaccinated and it’s still
not too late as we continue
to offer the vaccine
throughout our community.”
Experience with this virus
shows this strain, like all
influenza, is unpredictable.
However, because novel H1N1
is a new virus, many people
may have little or no
immunity against it, and
illness may be more severe
as a result.
Dr. Alonso recommends the
following:
People with respiratory
illness should avoid
spreading infections,
including influenza, to
others in the community:
- Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough and sneezes
- Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Get Vaccinated!
The H1N1 vaccine is now
available at any of our Palm
Beach County Health
Department Health Centers by
appointment Monday – Friday
and the vaccine is also
available At NO CHARGE
at these outreach
locations this week:
Tuesday, February 16th:
Wednesday, February 17th:
Friday, February 19th:
Saturday, February 20th
If you think you have
influenza, please call your
health care provider or the
health department and
discuss whether you need to
be seen in their office,
emergency department or stay
home. Vaccine availability
sites are updated regularly:
www.FightFluFlorida.com
, or by calling 211 or
1-888-411-4FLU (4358)
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