Children's Hospital Restrict Visitors, More H1N1 Clinics
Detroit (WWJ) -- Children's Hospital is joining the growing number of hospitals in Michigan that are restricting visits by children over fears of the swine flu. Starting Friday, the hospital is prohibiting anyone under 18 from visiting patients.
The restriction will last through the flu season. The restriction of child visitors will go into effect for hospitals throughout the entire Detroit Medical Center on Nov. 1.
“Probably the key thing was we began to see an increase in the number of positive H1N1 flu tests in children with the respiratory symptoms seen in our emergency room. And that's just occurred over the last day and a half or so.,” said Dr. Charles Barone with the DMC.
Dr. Barone also said that they will deal with this on a “case-by-case basis,” understanding that they have to look at every family and child and their situation.
Meanwhile, long lines formed at Freedom Hill in Macomb County as health officials conduct a swine flu vaccination clinic, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday. The injectable vaccines will be given. There's also a clinic Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Freedom Hill.
WWJ's Pat Sweeting spoke with Jennifer Michalczuk, who brought her two young children out to get the shot. And she got one as well.
"I have a low immune system. And, them being in school -- I've gotten them their flu shots every year, and I didn't last year, and they got the flu... I know three people already who have high fevers!" Michalczuk said.
In Detroit, the swine flu vaccine is available at three health centers, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. :
· Grace Ross, 14585 Greenfield Road
· Northeast, 5400 E. Seven Mile
· Herman Kiefer, Pathways Center, 1151 Taylor Street
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that vaccine supply is extremely limited and recommends that the following groups receive vaccine first:
· Pregnant Women
· Children six months to five years old
· Caregivers, Parents, Siblings in the home of the child younger than six months old
· Five-year to 18-year olds with underlying illnesses
· Healthcare workers and emergency personnel that have direct patient contact.
Heath officials said Friday swine flu has caused at least 19 more children's deaths - the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April.
At least 114 children have died from swine flu complications since the pandemic began in April. That's up from 95 reported a week ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the statistics on Friday.
The CDC reported that swine flu is widespread now in all but two states. Health officials estimate that many millions of Americans have been infected, though most suffer only mild illness.
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