By ODETTE LONEY Friday, October 23 2009

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SWINE FLU: With protective mask, this SFGH health worker is on her way to attend to waiting patients....

HEAD of Anaesthesiology at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), Dr Anand Chattergoon, said that there is only one confirmed case of swine flu, Influenza A/H1N1, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at this time.

Concerned citizens continue to seek test for Influenza H1N1 from as early as 6 am yesterday as a precautionary measure.

The Ambulance Bay continued to be the official site for swine flu tests for as many as 20 individuals with flu symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and high fever.

Hospital staff cordoned off the pathway leading to the area with triangular cones and ambulances were parked at the nearby Emergency Department to accommodate the influx of patients at the testing site.

A two-year-old boy, the son of an attorney, is currently recuperating from swine flu at the ICU, but sources said there are at least 20 mild cases of the dreaded H1N1 virus at the hospital.

Unlike earlier this week patients told Newsday that things flowed smoothly at the testing site, as a doctor and nurses were present to deal with patients suspected of having the AH1/N1 flu.

However, those with ill children had to wait over an hour before being seen by the doctor. Medical staff also addressed patients complaints of lack of toilet facilities at the testing site by placing a parc disposal in the waiting area of the ICU.

Meanwhile, a source in the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) said there is nothing new concerning the spread and testing of swine flu at the hospital. She said that possible swine flu cases will emerge every day and people will continue to seek testing at public health care facilities. To date the Ministry of Health reported four swine flu deaths at SFGH and 163 cases of Influenza A/H1N1 in the entire country.