THE INFLUENZA WELLINGTON HOSPITAL BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10507, 7 February 1920, Page 8

THE INFLUENZA

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL BOARD

PREPARED FOR EIUEIKOENCIES: STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN. Interviewed yesterday, the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr E. Castle) said that, as far as the board could ascertain, there were not many people clown with influenza who could not get the necessary assistance. One or two cases only had been referred to the board. He would be glad, however, if all such cases were communicated to him, so that he would have a better indication of the actual position. The information so far received did not point to any urgent need for sotting up vigilance committees. He was, however, consulting on the matter with the Health Department, and communicating with the president of the Wellington, branch of the British Medical Association. If ho found it necessary, ho would at once call a conference of the chairmen of the vigilance committees which did such good work during the 1913 epidemic. The organisation required to cope with a serious epidemic was all ready, ho added. The board had decided some time ago on certain places suitable for temporary hospitals, and the material for fitting out the hospitals was to hand. Up to the present the general hospital had been able to do all that was required, as the beds, as a rule, were vacated much more quickly by influenza patients than by others. Owing to the severity of tho 1918 epidemic neighbours were somewhat chary of rendering assistance in influenza eases. Hence tho need for organising voluntary help might be greater. “PAST THE OREST.” He ’believed that the influenza was less serious this week than last, and one authority had stated that wd had already passed tho crest of the present wave. But it was difficult to judge, and in Wellington, where every room Was practically a living room, very careful watch must ho kept. There was, however, no need for .alarm. HOSPITAL PRECAUTIONS. Tho Hospital Board, with a view to preventing, as far as possible, the infection of patients already in the hospital, has decided to close tho hospital to visitors until further notice. Moat of the beds in the general hospital are occupied by medical and surgical cases," several of whioh are of a serious nature. It is to avoid exposing such patients to the added risk of influenza that the above stop has been taken. Relatives of patients dangerously ill will bo notified and admitted in the usual way, and it is hoped that the restriction placed on other visitors will not be maintained for any length of time. Tho accommodation in the isolation ward is not severely taxed at present, and beds are available to meet the present demand. The majority of cases are mild, but during the last two weeks there have been a few pneumonic cases. Up to the present no deaths have occurred.