http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-nyswin2012898582jun19,0,6737738.story
More than quarter of new swine flu deaths are in NYS
BY MICHAEL FRAZIER | michael.frazier@newsday.com
9:13 PM EDT, June 19, 2009
Swine flu deaths almost doubled nationwide in the past week, with more than a quarter of the new deaths in New York, including seven in the city, officials announced Friday.
The city Health Department reported the city's death toll rose to 30. There were no new fatalities on Long Island, where officials earlier this week reported its first three deaths linked to the H1N1 flu strain.
Nationally, the confirmed and probable case count rose to 21,449 this week, and the number of deaths reached 87, according to figures the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday. The tally is up from the last week's count of 18,000 cases and 44 deaths. The agency now updates its figures publicly each Friday.
Officials acknowledge that with the virus now widespread and unstoppable the likely real figure of the nation's population affected is dramatically higher. Only a small percentage of probable cases - those involving people considered high-risk because of underlying medical conditions, pregnancy or because they are hospitalized - is being laboratory-tested.
Wisconsin (3,008), Illinois (2,526) and Texas (2,519) have had the most reported illnesses. The Illinois count this week rose more than 500. But CDC officials say much of the most recent flu activity has been in the Northeast.
New York City health officials didn't provide any details on the recent deaths but said most of the people were hospitalized in late May. They declined further comment, citing patient privacy rights.
The development follows seven fatalities reported Tuesday - then the largest cluster of deaths announced at one time by the city department since the initial outbreak began in April in Queens.
Since then, 748 people have been hospitalized, health officials said. Most of the cases have been mild, with those sickened recovering within a few days.
Health officials are unable to predict how long the virus will persist or how far it will spread. The city has already spent at least $10 million on research, testing and combating its spread.
- With AP
More than quarter of new swine flu deaths are in NYS
BY MICHAEL FRAZIER | michael.frazier@newsday.com
9:13 PM EDT, June 19, 2009
Swine flu deaths almost doubled nationwide in the past week, with more than a quarter of the new deaths in New York, including seven in the city, officials announced Friday.
The city Health Department reported the city's death toll rose to 30. There were no new fatalities on Long Island, where officials earlier this week reported its first three deaths linked to the H1N1 flu strain.
Nationally, the confirmed and probable case count rose to 21,449 this week, and the number of deaths reached 87, according to figures the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday. The tally is up from the last week's count of 18,000 cases and 44 deaths. The agency now updates its figures publicly each Friday.
Officials acknowledge that with the virus now widespread and unstoppable the likely real figure of the nation's population affected is dramatically higher. Only a small percentage of probable cases - those involving people considered high-risk because of underlying medical conditions, pregnancy or because they are hospitalized - is being laboratory-tested.
Wisconsin (3,008), Illinois (2,526) and Texas (2,519) have had the most reported illnesses. The Illinois count this week rose more than 500. But CDC officials say much of the most recent flu activity has been in the Northeast.
New York City health officials didn't provide any details on the recent deaths but said most of the people were hospitalized in late May. They declined further comment, citing patient privacy rights.
The development follows seven fatalities reported Tuesday - then the largest cluster of deaths announced at one time by the city department since the initial outbreak began in April in Queens.
Since then, 748 people have been hospitalized, health officials said. Most of the cases have been mild, with those sickened recovering within a few days.
Health officials are unable to predict how long the virus will persist or how far it will spread. The city has already spent at least $10 million on research, testing and combating its spread.
- With AP
