H1N1 Local Update
Friday, May 1, 2009
Potter/Randall Office of Emergency Management, City of Amarillo & Canyon, public and private school officials, and health officials continue to monitor the H1N1 situation. We are participating in all statewide and regional emergency operations conference calls.
As of this morning, the CDC has 27 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu in Texas and 109 confirmed cases in the U.S. There has been one fatality.
The Amarillo Public Health Department continues to wait for lab results and has no timeline for test results. At this time, there are a total of 8 suspected cases in the Potter/Randall area and no confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu. A suspected case is the result of a positive Type A rapid flu test that must be sent to the State lab for additional testing prior to confirmation. There are currently 28 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu in Texas.
A H1N1 Flu Hotline was established yesterday to provide information to healthcare providers and the public. Concerned parents and individuals can call the H1N1 Flu Hotline at (806) 351-2570 until 8:00 p.m. tonight (May 1, 2009). On Saturday, May 2, 2009 the hotline will be open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Local health officials continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with schools on absenteeism and illness.
As a reminder, the best prevention is good personal hygiene:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
· If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
· Flu-like symptoms should be seen by heath care provider.
· If you have a fever, the Center for Disease Controls recommends using Tylenol and not aspirin; especially children.
For more information please call the Public Health Department at (806) 351-2570. Local emergency management officials continue to participate in the statewide emergency operations conference calls.
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2 comments:
If schools remain open, which I assume they will unless we get 1 (or more) confirmed pediatric case(s), it would be nice to see a concerted effort in the schools to reduce infections. My son told me just yesterday that a student in his classroom was coughing and sneezing and looked feverish, yet the teacher didn't send that student to the nurses office to be looked at. There needs to be a happy medium between hysteria and totally ignoring H1N1. In addition, it would be helpful for schools to initiate some active infection control techniques, such as wiping down desks the last 5 minutes of class so that the next class that comes in sits at a clean desk (paper towels and a spray bottle cleanser wouldn't take but a minute)... don't forget door handles and light switches. Also making sure each classroom has hand sanitizer would help. These are just a few effective techniques. Are any schools utilizing these tactics?
Anonymous,
Thanks for your comment. We passed on your suggestions and the issues were re-emphasized by our public health authority during the school official conference call this past Saturday. Schools had already taken extra precautions, wiping down desks, doorknobs, and asked teachers to make sure to send students who look ill to the nurse's office. All school officials have worked very close with the city and public health to ensure schools remain a safe environment during this H1N1 situation. Thanks again for your comment and suggestions.
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