GPs 'coping well with swine flu'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8332077.stm

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Doctors' surgeries in Northern Ireland are coping well with an increase in swine flu cases, the chief medical officer has said.

Dr Michael McBride was speaking as the Department of Health revealed there was a 16% increase in GP consultations for flu last week.

Levels of swine flu were highest among children aged from five to 14.

More than 1,000 out-of-hours calls were received from people complaining of flu or flu-like illnesses.

Dr McBride said the rates of flu were the highest reported for more than nine years.

He said swine flu was a relatively mild illness for the vast majority of people, adding that people who believe they have the virus should stay at home rather than seeking medical help in person.

Other figures revealed by the department include:

<ul class="bulletList" ><li>There were 142 new cases of laboratory-confirmed swine flu last week;</li><li>The total number of cases in Northern Ireland as of 28 October was 899; </li><li>Anti-viral prescriptions have increased to 2,552, a 42% increase;</li><li>Overall, 437 people had been hospitalised; there was a 23% increase in the number of new hospitalisations to 76 last week from 62 in the previous week. </li></ul>

Ten people from Northern Ireland who had the virus have died - eight in NI and the other two in England and Spain.