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May 2, 2009 3:12 pm US/Central
Minn. Awaits Tests On 8 Probable Swine Flu Cases
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Three of the samples come from Hennepin County. The other four come from Dakota, Wright, Polk and Scott Counties. (File)
AP
Minnesota health officials waited Saturday for test results that could confirm eight more swine flu cases in the state.
One case has been confirmed so far, in a person at Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring in central Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Health announced eight more probable cases Friday and said samples had been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
More than 150 cases of swine flu have been confirmed nationwide.
The latest probable cases in Minnesota include an adult in Isanti County. Three people are sick in Hennepin County and single cases have been identified in Wright, Polk, Dakota and Scott counties, the state health department said. All are expected to make full recoveries.
The state's health lab hasn't been able to make the final determination that a sample is Type A H1N1, but the CDC is distributing tests to allow public health labs nationwide to do that. The tests are expected in Minnesota within days.
Minnesota has about 400,000 doses of antiviral drugs, and the federal government is sending more to regional hospitals around the state.
Health officials closed Rocori Middle School and a neighboring private elementary school Wednesday after the first probable case was announced. It was later confirmed.
They have recommended commonsense steps to avoid the spread of the disease, including frequent hand-washing, covering the mouth and nose during coughs and sneezes, avoiding sick people and staying at home if sick.
On Friday, the bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud sent a letter to Catholic priests and others, saying parishioners should not shake or hold hands during worship. The Most Rev. John Kinney also told pastors to use discretion in offering Communion and provide hand sanitizer and tissues for worshippers.
The St. Cloud diocese includes 135 parishes in 16 counties in central Minnesota.
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The MDH recommends several common-sense practices to avoid the flu. Stay home if you are sick, cover your cough, wash hands frequently and minimize contact with people you think might be sick.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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