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Swine flu outbreak deemed 'national emergency'
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency this week, giving health care officials more freedom to treat the widespread virus.
Locally, Benson Hospital CEO Ron McKinnon said the San Pedro Valley has been lucky, and they have not seen a high number of cases.
The president's declaration will help hospitals throughout the country deal with the sudden influx of patients who have contracted the virus.
McKinnon said the declaration will loosen up federal controls and will give hospitals more freedom to effectively address needs as the virus spreads.
McKinnon said while Benson Hospital has seen more cases of the H1N1 virus this year, the number of patients coming into the emergency is average and there are no concerns.
"It is surprising. Benson sits right at a crossroads with a lot of people passing through and spreading germs," McKinnon said. "You would expect to see more cases, but we are doing pretty well this year. That's not to say that later today or next week it may get worse."
If that happens, hospitals now have the freedom to expand services by setting up tents outside the emergency room or even setting up clinics in the community, such as at the local high school.
As the vaccine for H1N1 has been slow in coming this season, the National Centers for Disease Control estimated millions of Americans have already had H1N1, and at least 20,000 have already been hospitalized.
There have been an estimated 1,000 deaths, 100 of those children.
Health officials have warned parents to be on alert this flu season, since the H1N1 has targeted the teenage population.
H1N1 has spread through Cochise County and the nation quickly, causing some schools to close. Pima County to warn employees that they could be terminated if they come to work sick, and higher than normal absentee rates at local high schools.
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) rolled out the Swine Flu Pandemic Preparedness Plan last week.
In a news release AEPCO spokesman Geoff Oldfather said with swine flu cases increasing, they are worried about the company's ability to keep electricity plants in operation.
With a 557 megawatt plant east of Benson, AEPCO took action to have a plan in place.
"The first reason for the plan is to ensure the continued health and safety of our employees," Oldfather said. "AEPCO and the other two cooperatives based here in Benson have an excellent safety record and have always prided themselves on putting employees first. This pandemic plan continues those efforts. But, we're unique in that we can't just close the doors and send everyone home if too many of our employees become sick."
With more than 12,000 customers, there has to be a plan in place to keep generating electricity.
The plan is based on National Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Shari DiPeso, safety and health administrator for the cooperative, said they are determined to act in the most responsible way and plan ahead to first, protect employees, and second, keep the plant operating.
"Adopting this plan in no way means we're experiencing a problem now or that our employees are coming down sick," DiPeso said. "It means we're doing everything we can to be prepared, no matter what.
The plan will achieve four goals according to DiPeso. First, they will reduce transmission of the pandemic from employee to employee and to third parties. Second, communication is encouraged to enhance awareness. Third, it will maintain mission-critical operations and services and fourth, it will minimize social disruptions and the economic impact of the pandemic.
County Health Dept. shot clinic
For School-age (5 to 18 ) children
Thursday, Oct. 29
Benson High School Cafeteria, 360 S. Patagonia St.
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Nasal spray & vaccination available but supply limited.
Parents should bring child's shot records. Call 586-8200.
President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency this week, giving health care officials more freedom to treat the widespread virus.
Locally, Benson Hospital CEO Ron McKinnon said the San Pedro Valley has been lucky, and they have not seen a high number of cases.
The president's declaration will help hospitals throughout the country deal with the sudden influx of patients who have contracted the virus.
McKinnon said the declaration will loosen up federal controls and will give hospitals more freedom to effectively address needs as the virus spreads.
McKinnon said while Benson Hospital has seen more cases of the H1N1 virus this year, the number of patients coming into the emergency is average and there are no concerns.
"It is surprising. Benson sits right at a crossroads with a lot of people passing through and spreading germs," McKinnon said. "You would expect to see more cases, but we are doing pretty well this year. That's not to say that later today or next week it may get worse."
If that happens, hospitals now have the freedom to expand services by setting up tents outside the emergency room or even setting up clinics in the community, such as at the local high school.
As the vaccine for H1N1 has been slow in coming this season, the National Centers for Disease Control estimated millions of Americans have already had H1N1, and at least 20,000 have already been hospitalized.
There have been an estimated 1,000 deaths, 100 of those children.
Health officials have warned parents to be on alert this flu season, since the H1N1 has targeted the teenage population.
H1N1 has spread through Cochise County and the nation quickly, causing some schools to close. Pima County to warn employees that they could be terminated if they come to work sick, and higher than normal absentee rates at local high schools.
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) rolled out the Swine Flu Pandemic Preparedness Plan last week.
In a news release AEPCO spokesman Geoff Oldfather said with swine flu cases increasing, they are worried about the company's ability to keep electricity plants in operation.
With a 557 megawatt plant east of Benson, AEPCO took action to have a plan in place.
"The first reason for the plan is to ensure the continued health and safety of our employees," Oldfather said. "AEPCO and the other two cooperatives based here in Benson have an excellent safety record and have always prided themselves on putting employees first. This pandemic plan continues those efforts. But, we're unique in that we can't just close the doors and send everyone home if too many of our employees become sick."
With more than 12,000 customers, there has to be a plan in place to keep generating electricity.
The plan is based on National Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Shari DiPeso, safety and health administrator for the cooperative, said they are determined to act in the most responsible way and plan ahead to first, protect employees, and second, keep the plant operating.
"Adopting this plan in no way means we're experiencing a problem now or that our employees are coming down sick," DiPeso said. "It means we're doing everything we can to be prepared, no matter what.
The plan will achieve four goals according to DiPeso. First, they will reduce transmission of the pandemic from employee to employee and to third parties. Second, communication is encouraged to enhance awareness. Third, it will maintain mission-critical operations and services and fourth, it will minimize social disruptions and the economic impact of the pandemic.
County Health Dept. shot clinic
For School-age (5 to 18 ) children
Thursday, Oct. 29
Benson High School Cafeteria, 360 S. Patagonia St.
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Nasal spray & vaccination available but supply limited.
Parents should bring child's shot records. Call 586-8200.
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