Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Surgery cancelled as swine flu cases soar
By Emma Masters
Royal Darwin Hospital has been forced to cancel about 100 non-elective surgeries this week due to a sharp increase in the number of Territorians confirmed to have swine flu.
The Northern Territory health department says 109 new cases have been confirmed over the weekend, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 639.
The new cases include 47 in Darwin, 13 in Alice Springs and 23 in Borroloola.
Darwin lawyer Ian Morris was the first Territorian to die with the H1N1 virus, however the health department noted that he had underlying health conditions.
The hospital's general manager, Len Notaras, says while there is one person being treated for swine flu in RDH, the cancellation of surgeries is about preparing for and preventing further infections.
"On the one hand, a strategy to protect - in other words, prevent the spread of the virus - and on the other hand it's designed to ensure that we have enough staff, because our own staff being exposed to the virus as well is a threat and a risk."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/13/2623864.htm
By Emma Masters
Royal Darwin Hospital has been forced to cancel about 100 non-elective surgeries this week due to a sharp increase in the number of Territorians confirmed to have swine flu.
The Northern Territory health department says 109 new cases have been confirmed over the weekend, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 639.
The new cases include 47 in Darwin, 13 in Alice Springs and 23 in Borroloola.
Darwin lawyer Ian Morris was the first Territorian to die with the H1N1 virus, however the health department noted that he had underlying health conditions.
The hospital's general manager, Len Notaras, says while there is one person being treated for swine flu in RDH, the cancellation of surgeries is about preparing for and preventing further infections.
"On the one hand, a strategy to protect - in other words, prevent the spread of the virus - and on the other hand it's designed to ensure that we have enough staff, because our own staff being exposed to the virus as well is a threat and a risk."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/13/2623864.htm