Re: Rensselaer County officials confirm H1N1 death
Rensselaer County resident is fourth swine flu fatality in the region
<!-- END Headline and Summary --> <!-- BYLINE and PUB DATE --> <script>var omniture_APvSTAFF;</script> <!-- BYLINE --> By
KENNETH C. CROWE II AND
LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writers <!-- dasha's addition for omniture --> <script> omniture_APvSTAFF = "Staff writers";</script>
<!-- END BYLINE --> <!-- PUB DATE --> First published in print: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
<!-- END PUB DATE --> <!-- END BYLINE and PUB DATE--> <!-- Insert a review line if needed --> <!-- End Insert a review line if needed --> <!-- CORRECTIONTEXT, LEAD AND REMAINING TEXT --> A Rensselaer County resident has died from the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, the county Health Department confirmed Monday.
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The person died after four days of battling the virus, county officials said. The death occurred within the last week. Officials did not release information about the person, citing medical confidentiality rules.
"There were no pre-existing underlying medical conditions," said Christopher Meyer, a county spokesman, and the person was not in an at-risk group for contracting the illness.
This latest fatality brings to four the number of confirmed H1N1 deaths in and around the Capital Region. The others were in Albany, Saratoga and Warren counties.
The state Health Department has reported 16 flu deaths across the state outside of New York City between Sept. 1 and Nov. 7.
The Rensselaer County Health Department has distributed 4,500 H1N1 vaccine doses to medical providers to administer to at-risk populations. The county plans to hold a clinic during the third week of December to administer the vaccine.
On Sunday, almost 700 people who signed up to get H1N1 shots at an Albany County clinic at the Times Union Center didn't show up.
County spokeswoman Mary Duryea said that 2,157 people received the much sought-after influenza vaccine Sunday. Duryea said 2,855 made appointments for the clinic.
Duryea said health officials believe people might have gotten the vaccine from their doctors at the last minute. More vaccine is being received in the community as it is produced by the manufacturer and released by the state Health Department.
The county was prepared to give 4,500 H1N1 inoculations on Sunday. Another clinic at the Times Union Center, or clinics at various locations, will likely be held again this weekend in Albany County, according to Duryea. The details have not been finalized. The extra vaccine will also be distributed to doctors' offices.
The at-risk categories allowed to get the shot might also be expanded. Albany County placed greater restrictions on who could get the shot Sunday than the federal government requires. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allow anyone under 24 years old to get the vaccine. Meanwhile, Albany County allowed only people 5 to 18 years who had an underlying medical condition to get the vaccine.
Schenectady County has been holding clinics the last two weeks for children and pregnant women and is orchestrating clinics in school districts. Saratoga County held a public clinic last week, but was out of vaccine as of Monday.<!-- END STORY LEAD AND REMAINING TEXT --> <!-- NEXT PAGE NAV LINKS --> <!-- END NEXT PAGE NAV LINKS --> <!-- Hearst Magazine Subscription Form --> <!-- END Hearst Magazine Subscription Form --> <!-- AP Copyright Notice --> <!-- END AP Copyright Notice -->
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http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=866562&category=REGION
