14 January 2014 (15:28 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/24 Dey 1392/14 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711
As of today, at least 27 Canadians have died from H1N1, despite millions of vaccinations across the Great White North. Pharmacies continue to report lack of vaccines. The Canadian Medical Association Journal is reporting increasing concern over H1N1 infections. Specifically health officials are concerned with the kill rate: “There are more deaths than what we expect for the regular H1N1 influenza.”-Pierre Lebel, McGill University Health Centre
New Brunswick, Canada: A woman described as “in her midlife” became the 27th Canadian to die from H1N1.
Singapore: Despite what is happening in North America, Ministry of Health officials are telling people there’s nothing to worry about. Now, two Citibank employees in Singapore are confirmed sick with H1N1. Eight other employees are sick and being tested: “We have informed all employees on the precautions they should take and have distributed face masks and antiseptic wipes to all staff sitting on the same floor as those who are affected.”-Citibank statement to local news media
Alabama, U.S.A.: The Decatur Morgan Hospital reports four influenza related deaths. They’re not sure what type of flu the patients had. They are isolating all people hospitalized with flu symptoms.
Arkansas, U.S.A.: A women’s prison has cancelled all visitation after a inmate died, possibly from H1N1. At least two of the other 899 prisoners are confirmed sick with flu. Prison officials claim they’ve called in more medical staff.
California, U.S.A.: In Fresno, the 61 years old County Jail prisoner who was sent to hospital with H1N1 last week, has died. Prison officials admit that three inmates have been placed into an isolation “pod” because they have H1N1, at least nine other inmates (8 men, 1 woman) are sick, possibly with H1N1. Kings County reports a new death. Merced County reports a new death. Sonoma County reporting an H1N1 death. Santa Clara county reports two new deaths, and 13 new “severe” cases. San Mateo county reports one death. State health officials told California news media they expect the death toll to increase by Friday. As far as how many people died who did not get a flu shot, officials have admitted that only two of seven confirmed H1N1 deaths did not get the flu shot. Health officials said they weren’t sure about the others.
Connecticut, U.S.A.: The Department of Public Health says there are more than 683 flu cases, and they expect it to get worse.
Idaho, U.S.A.: A second man has died from H1N1 in the Gem State. He lived in Bonner County. The first Idahoan to die this flu season lived in Twin Falls County. In Bannock County, the Portneuf Medical Center is asking people sick with mild flu symptoms to stay away (see below).
Illinois, U.S.A.: Hospitals in Chicago are asking people to stay away, unless they have severe symptoms (see below). Loyola University Medical Center reporting at least 147 cases, 31 in the past week.
Indiana, U.S.A.: Allen County Sheriff’s Department reporting county prisoners are being made to wear masks. News sources say there is an outbreak of influenza in the prison, but county officials will not confirm the reports. Unnamed county health officials reported they had given prison officials kits to test prisoners for flu. Prisoners are also being vaccinated (which is a total waste if there’s already an outbreak).
Iowa, U.S.A.: Department of Health reports a healthy child died from flu. They are also investigating the deaths of “several adults”.
Louisiana, U.S.A.: After an eight years old girl died from H1N1 last week, school officials today revealed that at least two other students have H1N1. Two girls have been allowed back in school after a doctor said they were better. School officials say janitors are doing “extra” disinfecting.
Mississippi, U.S.A.: Jackson County reports 13 new hospitalizations for H1N1. The Jackson County Medical Care hospital is now closed to visitors and new patients.
Montana, U.S.A.: State health officials report at least 101 hospitalizations as of 04 January.
North Carolina, U.S.A.: Health officials are reporting that the first infant to die in their state this flu season, did so yesterday. This brings the state’s flu death toll to 22, the majority being young and middle aged adults.
Texas, U.S.A.: In Dallas, a pregnant woman lost her unborn child to an influenza infection. She’s hospitalized at Baylor Specialty Hospital. She can barely talk and has been sick since before Xmas. State health officials are begging people to get the flu shot.
Utah, U.S.A.: In the past week three people died of flu. So far five people have died this flu season.
Washington, U.S.A.: The Spokane Regional Health District reports that a woman with other health problems has died from flu. Currently there are 135 people hospitalized with flu in the Spokane area. Last year at the same time there were only 31 flu hospitalizations.
Many hospitals are telling sick people to stay away. What they mean is that if you don’t have severe influenza symptoms stay away, because you’ll just spread the virus in the hospital. Severe flu symptoms include the usual fever, coughing, aches, plus dehydration and difficulty breathing. Especially difficulty breathing because that’s how H1N1 kills you. Hospitals will isolate anyone with severe symptoms to try and keep the virus from spreading.
Anybody notice that H1N1 is targeting adults in their child bearing/rearing years?