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Source: http://www.birminghammail.net/news/...e-flu-deaths-in-west-midlands-97319-24999429/
Two more swine flu deaths in West Midlands
Oct 23 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail
TWO more people have died from swine flu in the region just days before the new vaccination programme is set to start.
NHS West Midlands health authority revealed the total of deaths with a positive test for swine flu had now reached 13 as estimated numbers of new H1N1 virus cases almost doubled nationwide.
Health chiefs also said over the past week 113 people had been admitted to hospital with the virus, compared to 85 a week ago.
Half of these are still being treated in hospital as concerns grow that swine flu will put pressure on NHS beds.
GP consultations for flu-like illnesses also rose from 33.5 per 100,000 population to 39.6 in the same time, well above the national average of 35.6.
The latest deaths come just days before the vaccination programme will be rolled out across GP surgeries, who are due to receive delivery of the injections from Monday.
Dr Rashmi Shukla, regional director of Public Health, said: ?Unfortunately there have been a further two swine flu-related deaths and our thoughts are with the families of these patients at this very sad time.
?Over the past few weeks we have seen the numbers of people reporting flu-like symptoms continue to rise at a steady rate.
?It is very important that frontline health and social care workers in the West Midlands have this vaccine in order to protect themselves, their families and their patients.
?Over the next few weeks, the NHS will start to vaccinate those most at risk of developing severe illness and GPs will be contacting ?at risk? groups to be invited for vaccination.?
Since the National Pandemic Flu Service was launched, more than 76,052 Midland people have collected anti-virals and 158,091 have been assessed.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said of the swine flu-related deaths so far, 20 per cent have been aged 15 or under, 34 per cent were aged from 16 to 44 and 23 per cent for both the 45 to 64 and 65 and over age groups.
Just under half of those who died had severe underlying health problems.
Sir Liam said: ?There is concern about the continuing pressure that the NHS is likely to be under this winter from swine flu over a sustained period of time but also from other winter illnesses including seasonal flu.?
It is also estimated that one in three children could catch the disease.
Two more swine flu deaths in West Midlands
Oct 23 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail
TWO more people have died from swine flu in the region just days before the new vaccination programme is set to start.
NHS West Midlands health authority revealed the total of deaths with a positive test for swine flu had now reached 13 as estimated numbers of new H1N1 virus cases almost doubled nationwide.
Health chiefs also said over the past week 113 people had been admitted to hospital with the virus, compared to 85 a week ago.
Half of these are still being treated in hospital as concerns grow that swine flu will put pressure on NHS beds.
GP consultations for flu-like illnesses also rose from 33.5 per 100,000 population to 39.6 in the same time, well above the national average of 35.6.
The latest deaths come just days before the vaccination programme will be rolled out across GP surgeries, who are due to receive delivery of the injections from Monday.
Dr Rashmi Shukla, regional director of Public Health, said: ?Unfortunately there have been a further two swine flu-related deaths and our thoughts are with the families of these patients at this very sad time.
?Over the past few weeks we have seen the numbers of people reporting flu-like symptoms continue to rise at a steady rate.
?It is very important that frontline health and social care workers in the West Midlands have this vaccine in order to protect themselves, their families and their patients.
?Over the next few weeks, the NHS will start to vaccinate those most at risk of developing severe illness and GPs will be contacting ?at risk? groups to be invited for vaccination.?
Since the National Pandemic Flu Service was launched, more than 76,052 Midland people have collected anti-virals and 158,091 have been assessed.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said of the swine flu-related deaths so far, 20 per cent have been aged 15 or under, 34 per cent were aged from 16 to 44 and 23 per cent for both the 45 to 64 and 65 and over age groups.
Just under half of those who died had severe underlying health problems.
Sir Liam said: ?There is concern about the continuing pressure that the NHS is likely to be under this winter from swine flu over a sustained period of time but also from other winter illnesses including seasonal flu.?
It is also estimated that one in three children could catch the disease.