“We are still experiencing an increase,” Ed Diaz, Department of Public Health epidemiologist, said in a report to Roxanne Diaz, executive secretary to Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez.
Roxanne Diaz said the numbers from the first three weeks of November were higher than those of last year’s tail end of the H1N1 pandemic.
She said close to 300 ER cases were seen for influenza-like illnesses in the first three weeks of this month.
CHC administered 1,126 “trivalent” flu vaccines from Oct. 14 to Nov. 23
Roxanne Diaz said 64 percent of the total population of children at the Head Start centers were also vaccinated.
This week, Public Health will start the flu vaccination at elementary schools which will continue next week.
Public Health at the same time is advising the general public about the temporary closure of the children’s clinic at the Commonwealth Health Center.
Limited nursing services such as suture removal, dressing changes, bicillin shots and IVIG, or intravenous immunoglobulin, will be done at the Family Care Clinic at CHC, until further notice.
Starting Dec. 6, Roxanne Diaz said services will be made by appointment only. Appointments will be available every Tuesday and Thursday.
Parents are urged to call the Family Care Clinic at 234-8950 to set up an appointment.
Public Health apologizes for the inconvenience, Roxanne Diaz said.
For questions or concerns, call 234-8950.
