New swine flu cases down by almost half
THE number of new cases of swine flu detected in Northern Ireland over the past week was down by 45 per cent, it has emerged. A total of 43 new cases were detected over the week leading up to November 25.
Last night Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said there has also been a decrease in the number of people consulting their GP about swine flu symptoms – and that this suggested that his department's "preparations and plans are working".
As of noon on Wednesday, 1,303 cases of swine flu have been detected here and there have been 558 cases hospitalised.
However, the number of new hospitalised cases decreased this week by 29 per cent on last week's number.
Figures released yesterday by the Department of Health in its weekly bulletin also revealed the number of out-of-hours calls for flu and flu-like illnesses have decreased from 403 in week 46 to 324 in week 47 – a decrease of 20 per cent.
And there has been an 11 per cent decrease in the number of antiviral prescriptions given out this week, with 760 handed out compared to 857 last week.
There were no new swine flu related deaths reported this week.
While welcoming the decreases, Mr McGimpsey said swine flu was still continuing to circulate, particularly affecting the under-fives.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said that some samples of swine flu viruses isolated from patients in Northern Ireland had been tested for sensitivity to Tamiflu and none of them had shown resistance to it.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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