Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
H1N1 claims first victim in Ross County
By JONA ISON ? Gazette Staff Writer ? November 9, 2009
A 54-year-old local woman has become the first victim of H1N1 influenza in Ross County.
Sherry L. Smith, of Chillicothe, died at Adena Regional Medical Center at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to her obituary.
Rami Yoakum, Ross County Health District director of communications, confirmed there had been a 54-year-old Chillicothe woman who died from complications of H1N1 Wednesday. Yoakum, however, could not relate the exact cause of death because the office has not yet received her death certificate.
?From what we understand, she had H1N1,? Yoakum said.
Adena also confirmed its first H1N1-related inpatient death but declined to provide additional information, including whether or not the woman had a pre-existing health condition, citing the family?s privacy and confidentiality.
"It is very important to be aware of risk factors including underlying conditions or other warning symptoms that are associated with both H1N1 or seasonal flu,? said Dr. John Fortney, Adena?s chief medical officer.
Yoakum also expressed the need for people to follow basic health principles and said while the death shows the seriousness of the virus, people still should not panic.
?As sad as this is ? our hearts and prayers are with the family ? but it?s an isolated incident. It?s one person out of the entire county who has had the flu or H1N1,? Yoakum said. ?It can happen, but the percentage is low.?
The Health District has administered more than 1,500 vaccinations in recent weeks and expects to receive another shipment of the vaccine Tuesday. The district is conducting clinics at schools this week and plans to schedule more public clinics after making its rounds through the schools.
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/section/CUSTOMERSERVICE
By JONA ISON ? Gazette Staff Writer ? November 9, 2009
A 54-year-old local woman has become the first victim of H1N1 influenza in Ross County.
Sherry L. Smith, of Chillicothe, died at Adena Regional Medical Center at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to her obituary.
Rami Yoakum, Ross County Health District director of communications, confirmed there had been a 54-year-old Chillicothe woman who died from complications of H1N1 Wednesday. Yoakum, however, could not relate the exact cause of death because the office has not yet received her death certificate.
?From what we understand, she had H1N1,? Yoakum said.
Adena also confirmed its first H1N1-related inpatient death but declined to provide additional information, including whether or not the woman had a pre-existing health condition, citing the family?s privacy and confidentiality.
"It is very important to be aware of risk factors including underlying conditions or other warning symptoms that are associated with both H1N1 or seasonal flu,? said Dr. John Fortney, Adena?s chief medical officer.
Yoakum also expressed the need for people to follow basic health principles and said while the death shows the seriousness of the virus, people still should not panic.
?As sad as this is ? our hearts and prayers are with the family ? but it?s an isolated incident. It?s one person out of the entire county who has had the flu or H1N1,? Yoakum said. ?It can happen, but the percentage is low.?
The Health District has administered more than 1,500 vaccinations in recent weeks and expects to receive another shipment of the vaccine Tuesday. The district is conducting clinics at schools this week and plans to schedule more public clinics after making its rounds through the schools.
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/section/CUSTOMERSERVICE