Swine Flu

The Council is working with the local Primary Care Trust and other partners. The position continues to be assessed on an on-going basis, and weekly at the Chief Executive’s Board meeting. There has been an acceleration in the last week or so which is affecting how plans are developing. This also means that the figures below are susceptible to change.

Planning for the activation of antiviral collection points continues.

Council personnel policies and procedures are being reviewed to cater for a pandemic scenario within the St Albans area, should that be necessary.

Latest figures show:

Countries infected: 99
Confirmed cases globally: 49,646 including 230 deaths
Confirmed cases EU/EFTA: 4245
Confirmed cases UK: 2905
Confirmed case East of England: 101
Confirmed cases Hertfordshire 21

The latest West Hertfordshire PCT statement can be seen at http://www.wherts-pct.nhs.uk/Content.asp?id=SXBA17-A77F7FE9&cat=1375

One school in Hertfordshire, in Bushey, is closed. Two further schools, in Stevenage and St Albans have confirmed cases, but remain open.

There have been some minor modifications to the guidance to schools. While the local risk assessment process will still apply, where there is evidence of significant community transmission, closure of a school will not normally be recommended unless there are special circumstances.

There is evidence of sustained community transmission in the West Midlands, the Clyde Estuary and London.