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Source: http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x113237863/One-new-swine-flu-death-reported
Despite one new death, H1N1 cases leveling out
THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN | Tuesday, Dec 22 2009 06:20 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Dec 22 2009 06:21 PM
Kern County's swine flu numbers are looking a lot like the downside of a statistical bell curve.
Despite one flu-related death in Kern County during the most recent weekly reporting period, serious cases of H1N1 have continued to level off for the sixth straight week, with only three new hospitalizations reported in the week ending Dec. 19, the Kern County Department of Public Health said Tuesday.
The total number of H1N1-related hospitalizations grew slightly from 209 to 212 during the most recent Sunday-through-Saturday reporting period, reflecting a decline in flu rates at the national level.
But public health officials caution that flu season can peak in January and February, and Kern County residents should get vaccinated to protect against the possibility of a resurgence in infections.
"We are seeing a slow but steady decline," said Public Health Director Matt Constantine. "But we still need to be cautious."
Constantine said he and other health officials are hopeful that the reduction in serious cases will be sustained. But no one is counting on that happening. Not yet.
Nevertheless, the decrease in intensive care cases has been dramatic. Compared to a single week in mid-October when 38 people in Kern were hospitalized with severe flu symptoms, only 12 have been hospitalized in the past four weeks combined.
Kern's latest flu-related death was a 58-year-old woman who suffered from an underlying condition, officials said. Her name was not released Tuesday.
The woman's death brings to 20 the number of H1N1-related fatalities reported in Kern County. No deaths from seasonal flu have been reported here.
The total number of hospitalizations tied to many kinds of flu -- including H1N1 -- stood at 226 on Dec. 19, Public Health said. Just 14 of those hospitalizations have been attributed to non-H1N1 flu.
For information about the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, go to Kernpublichealth.com or call your family doctor.
Despite one new death, H1N1 cases leveling out
THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN | Tuesday, Dec 22 2009 06:20 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Dec 22 2009 06:21 PM
Kern County's swine flu numbers are looking a lot like the downside of a statistical bell curve.
Despite one flu-related death in Kern County during the most recent weekly reporting period, serious cases of H1N1 have continued to level off for the sixth straight week, with only three new hospitalizations reported in the week ending Dec. 19, the Kern County Department of Public Health said Tuesday.
The total number of H1N1-related hospitalizations grew slightly from 209 to 212 during the most recent Sunday-through-Saturday reporting period, reflecting a decline in flu rates at the national level.
But public health officials caution that flu season can peak in January and February, and Kern County residents should get vaccinated to protect against the possibility of a resurgence in infections.
"We are seeing a slow but steady decline," said Public Health Director Matt Constantine. "But we still need to be cautious."
Constantine said he and other health officials are hopeful that the reduction in serious cases will be sustained. But no one is counting on that happening. Not yet.
Nevertheless, the decrease in intensive care cases has been dramatic. Compared to a single week in mid-October when 38 people in Kern were hospitalized with severe flu symptoms, only 12 have been hospitalized in the past four weeks combined.
Kern's latest flu-related death was a 58-year-old woman who suffered from an underlying condition, officials said. Her name was not released Tuesday.
The woman's death brings to 20 the number of H1N1-related fatalities reported in Kern County. No deaths from seasonal flu have been reported here.
The total number of hospitalizations tied to many kinds of flu -- including H1N1 -- stood at 226 on Dec. 19, Public Health said. Just 14 of those hospitalizations have been attributed to non-H1N1 flu.
For information about the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, go to Kernpublichealth.com or call your family doctor.