Swine flu epidemic peaking in Southern Finland

The swine flu epidemic is expected to reach its peak in the south of Finland in the coming days, says Ville Valtonen, head physician of infectious diseases at the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).
      On Wednesday, 148 patients were hospitalised in HUS specialised hospitals. On Tuesday the number was 14 and on Monday it was 140.
      The epidemic is expected to comprise three phases. First, the number of people infected by the H1N1 virus expands for a few weeks, after which the disease reaches its peak, which last for about a month. After this, the number of people who are il declines, and the epidemic begins to recede.
     
On Wednesday 36 patients with swine flu were in intensive care for swine flu. Several beds in intensive care were free on Wednesday.
     
Reijo Haapiainen, head of the operative unit of HUS, says that there has been adequate space in intensive care during the outbreak. There are about 60 beds in HUS intensive care wards, and the number can be increased, if necessary.
     
HUS has made space for swine flu patients by cancelling some less urgent surgical procedures.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Swine flu vaccinations for children under three begin on Monday (16.11.2009)
  Helsinki child welfare clinics begin swine flu vaccinations for children aged 3-6 years (17.11.2009)
  Helsinki plans to close swine flu clinic in November (19.10.2009)
  Swine flu spreading in south of Finland (4.11.2009)