The Department of Health has had no official confirmation from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) of a second death.
The department will no longer be releasing daily totals of 'confirmed' or suspected swine flu cases in the province. Mild cases of influenza be it pandemic H1N1 or seasonal flu will no longer be tested by the NICD nor private pathologists and will not necessarily be useful in the clinical management of infected cases. Access to testing is limited and public and private health (including the private labs) is now discouraging testing except in very specific circumstances.
Enquiries:
Faiza Steyn
Cell: 082 801 6960
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
7 August 2009
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
