DANVILLE — Geisinger Medical Center on Friday confirmed its second patient death from swine flu within a week.
Hospital spokeswoman Marcy Marshall on Friday said that because of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines, the medical center could not provide additional information.
“The Geisinger family is saddened by this second loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to the patient’s family,” Marshall said in a statement. “This death underscores the seriousness of this pandemic.”
Dr. Lisa Esolen, director of infection control at Geisinger, said last week the medical center has received only a small fraction of the vaccines needed for patient and employee protection. She added that there are approximately 7,600 confirmed cases of swine flu in Pennsylvania, with a 4 percent rate of hospitalization.
The state Department of Health’s Web site containing county-by-county count of novel 2009 influenza A/H1N1 cases has not been updated in 36 days.
Valley residents who are most at-risk of serious complications from H1N1 can register to receive a vaccination next weekend in either Williamsport or State College.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday announced it will conduct statewide clinics from Friday to Nov. 22 to administer free H1N1 vaccine to those in the recommended target groups that have not had previous access to the vaccine.
Those in the priority group include those between the ages of 6 months and 24 years; household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months; pregnant women; health-care providers and emergency medical services personnel; and those under 65 years of age with underlying health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.
Individuals in the recommended target groups must schedule an appointment time, day and location prior to the clinic in order to receive the H1N1 vaccine. This will help ensure that the correct type and amount of vaccine is available at each location.
“Our goal is to get the H1N1 vaccine to as many people as possible who are at risk of suffering serious complications from the virus,” said Michael Huff, deputy secretary of the state Department of Health. “These public health clinics will help us do just that with the amount of vaccine that is currently available to us.”
Valley counties are located in the state Department of Health’s Northcentral Community Health District.
Residents of Montour and Northumberland counties should attend Clinic No. 2 at the Northcentral District Office, 1000 Commerce Park Drive, Water Tower Square, Suite 109, Williamsport.
Residents of Snyder and Union counties should attend Clinic No. 3 at the Centre County State Health Center, 280 W. Hamilton Ave., State College.
Clinic hours Friday and Nov. 22 will be 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hours on Nov. 21 will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Appointments can be made at www.H1N1inPA.com under “What’s Hot,” 24 hours a day. Those without Internet access can call 1 (877) 724-3258 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Lines are limited.
Anyone seeking vaccination should download an H1N1 vaccine consent form from www.h1n1inPA.com. Consent forms must be completed for each individual that has scheduled to be vaccinated. Preparing this form in advance will help the clinics more quickly register and vaccinate people.
News
Swine flu kills 2nd in Valley
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
