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Hospitals, churches try to control H1N1 spread

Area hospitals and churches are making changes they hope will prevent the spread of the H1N1 - or swine flu - virus.

Parkview Hospitals, in both Fort Wayne and Huntington, have announced restrictions on visitations to prevent the flu.

And local Catholic churches have suspended the practice of using a common chalice during Masses.

As of Oct. 16, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit patients at any Parkview Hospital, including Parkview Huntington Hospital, and only two visitors are allowed at a time.

Visitors are not to bring anyone under the age of 18 into the facilities unless they are there for treatment. However, an exception to the restriction may be granted for patients who are dealing with life threatening issues.

Similar restrictions are in place at hospitals in the Lutheran Health Network.

Bishop John D'Arcy, head of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Diocese, announced on Oct. 13 that beginning the weekend of Oct. 17-18, the church will "suspend the administering of Holy Communion through the chalice."
The suspension includes all Catholic parishes in Huntington County.

He says the decision was made after consulting with Dr. Deborah McMahan, health commissioner of Allen County.

"We will monitor the situation, but I want to make it clear that no parish may give Holy Communion from the cup until the suspension is lifted," D'Arcy says. "That will be done as soon as the present serious situation has eased."

As of Oct. 16, the Huntington County Department of Health Department says there are no confirmed cases of the flu in Huntington County and that H1N1 vaccinations are to be received this week.

The local health department plans to issue vaccines to medical providers to reach specific groupsidentified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those groups are said to be most vulnerable to complications from H1N1 and include "pregnant women, people who live with or care for children less than six months of age, all people six months to 24, health care workers and emergency medical services personnel, people 25 to 64 with health conditions that make them have a higher risk of medical complications from influenza," says the HCDH release.

Once they are distributed to the high-risk groups, the vaccines will be made available to the community and can be administered through HCDH clinics and the following phar-macies; Kmart, Wal-mart, Walgreens and Owens.
People are asked to contact the pharmacies or private health care providers to check the vaccination's availability.

Local nursing homes have not yet changed their policies, but have plans ready in case they are needed.

Miller's Merry Manor in Huntington says it has posted signs around the facility with instructions on how to properly wash hands, and has supplied hand sanitizers. Other signs posted ask visitors who are feeling ill to postpone their visit to patients.

The Heritage of Huntington hasn't yet changed its policies yet, but can implement a plan when needed, such as visitation restrictions. The facility is asking its staff members to take more time off when they are ill.

Oakbrook Village has also posted signs that try to deter ill visitors from stopping in. They also say they have already implemented infection control, so no other changes have been made.

Norwood Health and Rehabilitation hasn't made any changes in policies either, but has a sign-in sheet that asks people who have symptoms to reschedule their visit. Sanitizers are available as well.

But health professionals are not the only ones dealing with H1N1.

The Huntington County Community School Corporation's nurse, Claudia Thompson, says the corporation is providing hand-washing classes for elementary school students and staff members are told to look for "teachable moments" to reinforce coughing and sneezing into sleeves. Also, hand sanitizer is available in classrooms. She adds the custodial staff is doing its part in keeping the schools clean. Thompson says children with temperatures over 100 degrees are to stay home and can return to school after 24 hours of being fever-free without medication.

She also explains parents and students will not be notified if someone in the corporation has a confirmed H1N1 case, due to legality issues.