Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

[JimO]

Source: http://dch.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,31446711_134310023_146019323,00.html

Time Frame - Hospitalizations - Total Number of Deaths

4/24 to 7/29 - 44 - 1

7/30 to 8/5 - 8 - 0

8/6 to 8/12 - 22 - 2

Cumulative Total as of 8/5 -74 - 3

Nearly one-third of Georgia's hospitalizations and 2 of 3 deaths occurred over this past week.

 

[Legadillo]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Wonder if some of the hospitalizations were in Thomas County:

Flu symptoms send many students home
Posted: Aug 14, 2009 4:49 PM EDT

Students go home with flu-like symptoms

Thomasville, GA (WALB) - With school back in session, hundreds of students and staff in Southwest Georgia are forced leave school in the middle of the day with flu-like symptoms.

Public heath departments are treating the cases as pandemic H1N1 flu clusters. Even though every person who goes home sick has not received positive test results for H1N1, they are being treated that way.

In Thomas County schools, more than 100 kids were sent home Friday. School officials were warned by health officials to expect a wave of swine flu among students, likely during the third week of classes.

In Thomas County, dozens of students starting coming down with symptoms Wednesday, a little over a week after school began.

On the elementary school level, more than 30 kids were sent home Friday. At the county middle school, 57, and several more at the high school went home sick. The numbers were about the same the past couple of days.
But it isn't just students going home with high fevers, several teachers have gone home too. We spoke with a 1st grade teacher today who is doing everything she can to keep her kids in the classroom, and at home, swine-flu free.

"With two babies at home I go home and change my clothes before I get my babies because my youngest I don't want to take any risks of her catching anything," said Jenny Holt.

"We've been very aggressive with sending kids home," said Head Nurse Terri Matthews. "We've identified any and all kids who are complaining of headache stomach ache, sore throat, anything that may give us some indication they may have the flu, as well as fever."

Kids are sent home with even the slightest fever. When they come to the nurse they have to stay there until a parent can pick them up. Under no circumstances are sick children allowed to ride the bus home. It's important to remember Pandemic H1N1 flu is more contagious than regular seasonal flu and has a high attack rate in children and teens.

So teachers everywhere are stressing hand-washing over anything else. If you are a parent and your child is sent home, remember to keep your child home until 24 hours after their fever is gone without using fever reducing medicine. If you send them back sick, they're only going to get sent home again.

Health officials advise flu patients to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and wear a mask around others in your home if possible. Also, don't give aspirin to children with the flu, use a fever reducer like Tylenol.

And if symptoms include trouble breathing or vomiting, seek emergency treatment.

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10932811&nav=menu37_8_1_3

 

[Legadillo]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Here is the most recent documented death here in Georgia:

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Albany man dies of swine flu

Jennifer Parks
Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 11, 2009


ALBANY - The worst impacts of the recent flu pandemic have been seen throughout the nation and the world.

Now, they have been felt in Southwest Georgia.

An Albany area man in his 60s is the first patient in the Southwest Health District's 14-county area and the third Georgia resident to die from H1N1, or swine flu, health officials say.

The man had underlying health conditions and had been hospitalized before his death on Friday. Those with underlying health conditions are among the people most at risk for life-threatening complications.

"People just need to be aware of their risk status," said Southwest District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. "Certainly if they've been exposed and they are at risk, they need to let their provider know."

Other at-risk populations include individuals that are immunosuppressed, children under age 5, adults over age 65 and pregnant women.

"They are all at increased risk," Grant said. "(The Albany death) does heighten our sense of urgency. It's a sad day for all of us in Southwest Georgia, but it's no surprise."

No other patients in the district are currently hospitalized with confirmed cases of H1N1 infection, although nine hospitalizations (including the deceased patient), have occurred since the infection began spreading through Georgia earlier this year.

A Cobb County woman who died in July was the state's first fatality linked to H1N1. Late last week, another Cobb County resident became the state's second confirmed swine flu fatality.

Despite the fatalities associated with the disease, officials say the illness is still considered mild to moderate in nature.

"Most people that are healthy are doing fairly well," Grant said. "There has been no change in severity."

A vaccine for H1N1 is unlikely to be ready until mid-October at the earliest, officials say.

Those that contract the virus are encouraged to begin take antivirals within 48 hours of illness onset. Current information is available from online at www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

http://albanyherald.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=5319

 

[DrRugby]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Alright, let's take a chill pill here!

H1N1 is all over Georgia. It is endemic all over the place. I am seeing at least 3 patients per day with significant symptoms which does not even account for those with minimal symptoms like I had in May.

So, the actual numbers are wrong. The numerator is 3 but the denominator is in the 100,000's, just not reported.

So, 3 dead is bad but less than with the usual seasonal influenza.

So, give it a rest and don't go panicking the general public.

Got symptoms? Stay home until your fever is gone. If in the risk groups: pregnant, morbidly obese, diabetic, transplant patient, bad lungs, or the others as listed by CDC, CALL your doctor.

 

[JimO]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Do I need a prescription for a chill pill?

 

[DrRugby]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

The chill pill is a subject of much study over the millenia.
My personal favorite at this time includes a chilled pinot grigio.
If my wheels were still up to it, it would include strong match of rugby with the required post game imbibment of quality beer & comradery.

 

[Legadillo]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Alright, let's take a chill pill here!

H1N1 is all over Georgia. It is endemic all over the place. I am seeing at least 3 patients per day with significant symptoms which does not even account for those with minimal symptoms like I had in May.

So, the actual numbers are wrong. The numerator is 3 but the denominator is in the 100,000's, just not reported.

So, 3 dead is bad but less than with the usual seasonal influenza.

So, give it a rest and don't go panicking the general public.

Got symptoms? Stay home until your fever is gone. If in the risk groups: pregnant, morbidly obese, diabetic, transplant patient, bad lungs, or the others as listed by CDC, CALL your doctor.

So are you saying I have to actually stop screaming and running in circles!!?? ****! That's how I like to spend my weekends! Oh well, better pass on the Pinot to ease my panic (gulp, gulp, gulp)!

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Alright, let's take a chill pill here!

Can you write me a script for a swine-flu sensitive chill pill inhaler?

 

[Jmom]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

I am seeing at least 3 patients per day with significant symptoms which does not even account for those with minimal symptoms like I had in May.

I'm guessing they weren't tested since DPH said they are only testing hospitalized cases?

My GP in NE Atlanta said he is seeing some pretty severe illness, and in a very unlikely population. So while I am not "panicked", I certainly will pass on your chill pill, thank you.

 

[DrRugby]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

You are possibly correct.
No one is testing for H1N1 since it is endemic and there is no verified other flu strain in the area at this time. There will be an occasional other type passing through, but for Atlanta, until sometime in the future with clear evidence, it is all H1N1.

And here comes the school cases. We are creating our own artificial 2nd wave just by opening schools again.

 

[Legadillo]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Yes, the schools remaining open is a big problem on many levels, which for me boils down to the kids health and the continued spread of the virus. I'm sure we will see in the next couple weeks many more coming down with the virus in schools.

My concern is a change in the lethality of H1N1 and our children serving as the canaries in the coal mine.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Yes, the forced second wave by keeping schools open when vaccines are being delayed significantly. Seems very wrong to me.

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

We are creating our own artificial 2nd wave just by opening schools again.

Doctor. What do you see, on your end, that would be the catalyst that would close schools for significant period of time; essentially, families SIP-ing at home?

 

[DrRugby]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

At present, unless some unforeseen change occurs in illness pattern with the virus, it will become an operational decision.

When a point is reached where there are either too few students to continue (ex- 10 students of 300 in a class level would not make sense since 290 is too many to drop back a grade or send to summer school.), or , too many staff are out such that a practical learning environment is impossible.

The reason they are still open is because of the decrease of illness severity from what was feared in April. Also, anytime schools close it adversely affects the entire economy & local operations due to parents having to be out to take care of the student.

 

[Commonground]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

....which really puts parents in a quandary, because it is the law that children attend school. But....if you have a child with underlying conditions..you are putting your child in harms way, in my opinion. So, what do you do? Break the law? Save your child? I hope the schools are letting everyone know the risks to children with underlying conditions. The only saving grace is that it is early on, and there is plenty of availability now at the hospitals.

 

[Jmom]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

the decrease of illness severity from what was feared in April.

The numbers and the data coming from the southern hemisphere do not support the notion of a decrease of severity. In the US, there are areas (CA, TX, FL) that are seeing such an increase of numbers and severity, as to lead some to believe it the herald of a severe second wave. In addition to increases in numbers, there are reports of a greater percentage of healthy individuals with severe illness, faster time from symptom onset to death, and scattered tamiflu resistance (CA, TX and WA)

Reports that the flu is mild or has decreased in severity is speculative at best, and misleading at worst. The fact that public health, doctors and school officials are being given this information is disturbing. Those making the decisions have often alluded to the utmost importance of keeping the economy going, and I think that is truly where their priorities lie.

It isn't where my priorities are when it comes to my children's health and safety, nor parents I know.

Along these lines, if anyone has a child in school and wants the option to pull them out if things get bad, I suggest learning now of your state's homeschool laws and have the appropriate forms on hand, ready to send in. I would not wait for the school systems to make that call. Even though they are told it is their call, they are still deferring to the CDC's advice which is, in essence, stay open no matter what.

 

[Legadillo]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

Well, based on just CDC stats (which probably leave some cases out) the severity certainly doesn't seem reduced.

In just 2 weeks (July 31 to Aug 14) there have been 124 US deaths and 1,997 Swine Flu hospitalizations.

Total U.S. Novel H1N1 Flu Hospitalizations and Deaths
Posted July 31, 2009, 11:00 AM ET
Data reported to CDC by July 30, 2009, 11:00 AM ET

Reporting States and Territories= 47

Hospitalized Cases= 5,514

Deaths= 353

Total U.S. Novel H1N1 Flu Hospitalizations and Deaths
Posted August 14, 2009, 11:00 AM ET
Data reported to CDC by August 13, 2009, 2:00 PM ET

Reporting States and Territories= 51

Hospitalized Cases= 7,511

Deaths= 477

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: Georgia DoCH Reports 3 Total Deaths

The reason they are still open is because of the decrease of illness severity from what was feared in April.

Doctor. The decision regarding the schools then is being made on limited virulence rather than high transmissibility? It is difficult to understand a decision today being based on data from almost four months ago. Prior even to the pandemic being declared.

The increased and sustained activity over the summer would seem to negate a decision based on such data. We do not know to what extent, if any, violent deaths were occurring prior to end of April. We know today they are- for any number of reasons/ causes.