Your Pickens County

UPSTATE — According to information from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, (DHEC), during the week of October 4-10, 116 cases of swine flu were confirmed in Pickens County.
Greenville County had 568 confirmed cases, while Anderson County had 228 and Oconee County had 28.
Statewide for the same period, 4,401 positive tests were reported. Of those with swine flu, 102 were hospitalized and two died. Since September 1, 374 people in the state have been hospitalized and 11 have died.
Information from the Center for Disease Control says flu activity for the week continued to increase across the United States. The disease is widespread in 41 states. Flu-related doctor visits also continue to increase and are estimated to be equal to or higher than at peak periods of regular flu season.
The CDC has also issued a statement saying flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to rise and are above levels expected for the season. In South Carolina currently, according to DHEC, there are more cases in the midlands and coast than in the upstate.
The vaccine for swine flu is not yet available at DHEC clinics, but is expected to be available soon.
The vaccine in spray mist form was shipped last week and made available to healthcare workers, who are part of the first responder category.
According to information from the CDC at this current time, six influenza vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 114-115 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available.
Although health officials recommend taking the vaccine, there is no state mandate in South Carolina requiring it to be given to either the general public or healthcare workers.
Children and young adults are believed to be most vulnerable to the disease.
Information from the School District of Pickens County cautions parents not to send children to school when they are sick.
The disease is spread through coughing and sneezing and contact.
The public has been cautioned to wash hands, not to rub eyes, nose or mouth with hands and avoid contact with those who are infected.