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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Church downplays flu worry advice | Church downplays flu worry advice |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Catholic church leaders in Wales are playing down advice suggesting people should not shake hands during services so as not to risk spreading swine flu. | Catholic church leaders in Wales are playing down advice suggesting people should not shake hands during services so as not to risk spreading swine flu. |
| A newsletter for some worshippers in south Wales urged people not to make "heroic" efforts to attend if unwell. | |
| But a church spokesman said a priest should speak to a congregation rather than give written instructions and only when he "feels that he has to do so". | But a church spokesman said a priest should speak to a congregation rather than give written instructions and only when he "feels that he has to do so". |
| He said church advice would be based on that from the assembly government. | He said church advice would be based on that from the assembly government. |
| Wales has 71 confirmed swine flu cases but will not be part of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) being launched in England on Thursday. | Wales has 71 confirmed swine flu cases but will not be part of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) being launched in England on Thursday. |
| Health Minister Edwina Hart has said Wales is "well behind the curve compared to areas of England" for the number of swine flu cases. | Health Minister Edwina Hart has said Wales is "well behind the curve compared to areas of England" for the number of swine flu cases. |
| The National Public Health Service for Wales estimated around 1,335 people had contacted their GP to complain of flu-like symptoms, but not necessarily swine flu, in the week to 5pm on Saturday 18 July. | The National Public Health Service for Wales estimated around 1,335 people had contacted their GP to complain of flu-like symptoms, but not necessarily swine flu, in the week to 5pm on Saturday 18 July. |
| Wales is 'well behind the curve' of UK swine flu, says its health minister | Wales is 'well behind the curve' of UK swine flu, says its health minister |
| Some worshippers in the south Wales diocese of Menevia attending mass on Sunday had read a newsletter advising them not shake hands during services in order not to risk spreading the swine flu virus. | |
| The note advised churchgoers to make a small bow when saying "peace be with you" during mass rather than offer a handshake that "may be refused". | The note advised churchgoers to make a small bow when saying "peace be with you" during mass rather than offer a handshake that "may be refused". |
| The diocese includes Swansea, Neath, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, south Powys and Carmarthenshire. | The diocese includes Swansea, Neath, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, south Powys and Carmarthenshire. |
| But a diocesan spokesman said it had been left to parish priests individually to advise congregations on "standard instruction for any illness" as they deemed it appropriate. | But a diocesan spokesman said it had been left to parish priests individually to advise congregations on "standard instruction for any illness" as they deemed it appropriate. |
| He said there had been "no instruction from the bishop" and advice should have been given verbally rather than being printed out. | He said there had been "no instruction from the bishop" and advice should have been given verbally rather than being printed out. |
| He added: "It's causing a bit of a panic if it's written down when it shouldn't have been." | He added: "It's causing a bit of a panic if it's written down when it shouldn't have been." |
| NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47 | NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47 |