N.B. swine flu hospitalizations on rise
Some patients in intensive care
Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 4:00 PM AT
CBC News
The number of people in New Brunswick hospitals with complications from the swine flu continues to rise.
During the last two days, 10 more have been admitted, bringing to 38 the total hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic.
Several of the latest cases have ended up in intensive care and are being watched closely, said Dr. Eilish Cleary, the province's chief medical officer of health.
Many of the patients have recovered, she said.
"Most of the … cases we have seen have been mild, although we are aware of a few of them that are in intensive care requiring more intensive treatment."
There still have been no flu-related deaths reported in the province, Cleary said.
By this weekend, about 140,000 New Brunswickers will have been inoculated, she said.
Clinics are still being postponed because of the shortage of vaccine, but about 40,000 more doses are expected next week.
"It's still less than we were hoping for, but it's better than what we got this week. So the [regional health authorities] have that number this morning, and they'll be working hard on their plans to deliver that vaccine."
Health officials will announce new clinic schedules in the coming days.
Cleary hopes the priority list for the vaccine will be expanded to include those under 65 with chronic diseases within a week to 10 days.
Confirmed case at UNB Fredericton
Meanwhile, the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton has its first confirmed case of the swine flu virus and 15 self-reported cases.
"One student, a resident student, tested positive for H1N1 through our own student health clinic," said James Brown, executive director for residential life at UNB.
"That student is in sequestration currently, an isolation room. We know that the student intends to go home in the near future," he said.
Brown declined to give the student's sex or residence, citing privacy concerns.
The self-reported cases are distributed evenly across the campus' eight residence buildings, he said.
Saint Thomas University has no reported cases of the swine flu, although 19 students have reported flu-like symptoms, officials said.
Saint John students 'rest up'
Students at Rothesay Netherwood School in Saint John got an early start to their weekend Friday.
The private school let its students leave two hours early today, so they can rest up and stay healthy, said Head of School Paul Kitchen.
Students were hit hard by flu this past week, with the highest percentage of absences the school has ever seen, he said.
About 40 per cent of students were out sick on Tuesday and 35 per cent were out on Wednesday, Kitchen said.
That forced the school to designate a quarantine area for ill students so the flu wouldn't spread.
Kitchen expects classes will resume with normal hours next week.
