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Swine flu blog: Get your family ready
Last updated at 16:06, Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Does your family have a contingency plan... Deputy editor Alan Cleaver reports daily on the impact of swine flu in West Cumbria, with a particular slant on how the media and the public are reacting to the worsening crisis.
Wednesday, October 14 - A family contingency plan
One interesting point out of my meeting with Cumbria’s director of medicine, Prof Ashton, yesterday was the advice for families to have a contingency plan ready for if swine flu does worsen over the winter. He pointed out that during the Carlisle floods, smaller firms struggled to cope. Bigger firms had a contingency plan but smaller ones had never bothered - and on occasion paid a heavy price. And if small firms aren’t prepared for the swine flu epidemic, then you can bet few families have prepared a plan. But if 30 per cent of your family is incapacitated that could mean both mum and dad in bed with flu - so who is going to take the kids to school? Who is going to get the food shopping? Time to draw up a plan - just bear in mind that, on current figures, 30 per cent of your extended family and friends will also be ill with flu!
UK:
Swine flu child stable in hospital
Ruhubia Akbor
October 14, 2009
A SHAW youngster is said to be improving after being hospitalised with swine flu.
The primary school pupil, who is reported to have an underlying health condition, is in a stable condition.
Letters have been sent out to all parents and carers at the East Crompton St Georges School which remains open.
Cllr Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “The headteacher acted quickly to reassure the school community and a letter has been sent out to all parents and carers to make sure everyone is aware of the situation.
“In accordance with government guidance there are no plans to close the school at this time. All children who are not showing symptoms should continue to attend as normal.”
The child is among 62 people being treated with the disease across the region’s hospitals. Health bosses have said 14 people with the H1N1 virus were critically ill and 39 had underlying conditions.
Oldham’s director of public health Alan Higgins said an immunisation programme to help protect the most vulnerable people will be launched shortly. Anyone invited for an appointment is urged to take up the opportunity.
Mr Higgins added: “For the majority of people swine flu will be a mild to moderate illness. With the increase in flu-related illnesses in the community, we need people to be vigilant and continue to use their own judgement.
“It is particularly important for people with chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, under-fives, over 65s and pregnant women to contact their GP by telephone if they think they could have swine flu and to keep in touch with their GP.
“At this time I would like to remind people about the importance of good hygiene – remember Catch it, Kill it, Bin it. This means using disposable tissues when you cough and sneeze, disposing of it in a bin and then washing your hands. This will help to protect yourself, your family and friends and your colleagues.”
The National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu should be the first port of call . If your condition worsens call your GP for advice.
Link is http://www.oldhamadvertiser.co.uk//news/s/1171561_swine_flu_child_stable_in_hospital