Clinic Busy

Business is brisk at the Flu Assessment Centre located at South Shore Regional Hospital. Communications Director Theresa Hawkesworth says the numbers have been steady since the clinic opened on Monday. The centre is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Most cases of H1N1 are mild and will clear up in a few days by resting at home. However, people are encouraged to visit a flu assessment centre, instead of hospital emergency department, if they have flu-like symptoms and get sicker instead of better after a few days. People who are severely ill – especially with breathing difficulties -- should seek immediate help by going to your nearest Emergency department or calling 9-1-1.

Most cases of H1N1 are mild and will clear up in a few days by resting at home. However, people are encouraged to visit a flu assessment centre, instead of hospital emergency department, if they have flu-like symptoms and get sicker instead of better after a few days; or they have the flu and are in a high-risk group, which includes those: with a chronic medical condition, women who are pregnant, and children under 5.

School Flu Plan

South Shore School board officials say their pandemic plan is focussed on providing the essential services of the schools. The board overseeing schools in Lunenburg county have drafted and adopted a plan to deal with the potential outbreak of H-1-N-1. Occupational Health and Safety Manager Gail Sinclair says there will be lots of information for parents and students when they get back to school next week. Sinclair says the plan is basic but it's also one that will change as they learn things going through a pandemic situation in the school system.

Bring your Own Toys

In a move to reduce the potential spread of the H-1-N-1 flu virus South Shore Health is removing all magazines, books and toys from patient waiting areas and in patient areas. Patients or children with day appointments or coming into Emergency Departments at South Shore Health are advised to bring their own washable toys and reading materials with them, and take them home when they leave. The recommendation comes from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Bridgewater Michelin H-1-N-1

With the word of Pandemic planning comes a confirmed case of H-1-N-1 influenza at the Michelin plant in Bridgewater. An employee tells CKBW there was a staff memo circulated this morning saying the one worker had been diagnosed with the swine flu - but it is described as a mild case. Another plant official unofficially confirms that but says the name of the affected worker is being kept confidential. The medical staff is the only group in the plant who are aware of all of the details. But workers are being directed to follow the precautions that are laid out by the Nova Scotia Health department in their pandemic guidelines. Things like frequent hand-washing, sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or isolating yourself if you feel sick.

Swine Flu Watch

2009-04-28 05:52:19

South Shore Health is monitoring the Swine Flu situation very closely and is in regular contact with the  Departments of Health Protection and Promotion and the Department of Health as well as  provincial counterparts.Communications Director Theresa Hawkesworth says locally they are following all recommended guidelines and protocols and are working with Health Promotion and Protection to enhance existing surveillance for respiratory illness in Nova Scotia.  They are also working to ensure that heath care professionals get the information they need to identify and manage suspected cases.  Hawkesworth says  they have had a number of calls from the public with questions and concerns. She says  if you've been to Mexico recently and have severe flu-like symptoms, you should isolate yourself and contact your family doctors or other health care professional. Make sure you mention your travel history.  People with general questions or concerns should contact Public Health in Bridgewater