Flu Week 47 Only One DC Death Again

From our point of view the numbers are higher for the District of Columbia than in the last two years and we knew the flu was coming. The numbers are lower than last year for Maryland and we knew it was coming. The numbers are higher in Virginia and we knew the pandemic was upon us. The numbers are lower in North Carolina and they are doing a better job with less.

"Secondary bacterial pneumonia was a frequent cause of illness and death during each of the influenza pandemics of the 20th century. Pneumococcal infections have also been identified as a complication in some severe and fatal cases of the current H1N1 influenza pandemic."

Maybe its because North Carolinians aren't as congested as we are. The Department of Health is either underreporting, as we suspect DC is doing or something else is going on. We think we should be doing better. Maybe it'll happen next year but the numbers are people. It is us! For us it's Pearlie Mae's minister who had "underlying conditions" but the numbers that aren't us affect us and rob us of people and personnel many of which love, protect and keep us safe. Governor Bev Perdue (WATCH) got her seasonal flu vaccine and we're still waiting for our H1N1 vaccine. That might explain why North Carolina's deaths are behind the last previous years.

JURISDICTIONS This Last 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond / Norfolk, VA 1 10 2 6 1 11 10 5 101 696 443 238 81 764 453 199 74 595 452 202 DEATH TOTALS WK 47 19 27 1478 1497 1323

We also have to keep saying - it's going to get worse because we're still not in the midst of the storm. It's going to get worst. Our hope and prayer is that we'll all get the inoculations we need in time so keep the deaths down and the suffering to a minimum this year and into the next. We're not the only ones saying this Maryland's Governor O'Malley hypes the good while ignoring the bad but still offers a caveat that we still need to vigilant.

"This week, as vaccination shipments into the State continue to increase, we are seeing potentially positive signs in overall flu activity in Maryland," said Governor O'Malley. "All flu indicators, including hospitalizations, positive H1N1 tests, ICU admissions, and emergency room visits are on a downward trend. And that's a good thing. But this is still a public health threat we all should be taking very seriously."

Another day and we aren't in that number. We count that a very good day indeed!