Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
2nd H1N1 Death In Sask.
Elderly man second confirmed case in two days
Posted June 29, 2009 -
After going several weeks without a fatality from the H1N1 flu virus, Saskatchewan is now registering two deaths reported in less than 24 hours.
Saskatchewan's Chief medical officer of health, Doctor Moira McKinnon, says the second death came over the weekend.
The victim was a man in his 70's. Tests confirming H1N1 were received this monring. She says that as in the first case reported yesterday (Sunday), there were serious underlying health issues.
A woman in her 40's died on Saturday. One other person remains in intensive care being treated for H1N1, or swine flu. Public Health isn't releasing where the victims are from, citing privacy issues.
There have been 739 confirmed cases of H-1-N-1 in the province, and more deaths are expected. McKinnon says this virus is infecting more people than a normal seasonal flu, but so far, most of the cases are mild.
Vaccines should be available by November. McKinnon says it may be that flu shots will be given to higher risk groups first.
http://www.newstalk650.com/story/20090629/18711