THIRTEEN PEOPLE with swine flu have died in Northern Ireland since November, the Public Health Agency has confirmed.
They included a seven-year-old child and a 67-year-old; nine had underlying health problems.
Some 33 patients with swine flu are in intensive care in the North.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey is increasing the number of critical care beds to help deal with the jump in numbers of those suffering from the H1N1 virus. If more than the 40 beds being prepared are needed they will be given, he said.
Responding to public alarm at the figures and to concern at the co-ordination of health and social care services in the face of the flu threat, the Minister defended the health service response. He also rejected Sinn Féin claims that he had gone on Christmas holidays and “remained silent” on the issue.
Speaking last night Mr McGimpsey said: “My department, the Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency and the trusts have been in daily contact since mid-December to ensure an effective co-ordinated response to the pressures arising from the severe weather conditions. I have not, as has been suggested, been missing on the job.
“I am deeply disappointed that an issue as serious as the delivery of health and social care has been turned into a political attack on me. Despite all the significant pressures we are facing, the health service continues to manage this situation effectively because we have the necessary plans in place to cope.”
Earlier yesterday director of public health Dr Carolyn Harper called for public calm despite the publication of figures showing the spread of the disease.
“The public should therefore not be unduly concerned. We see flu every year and, at this stage, the trend in deaths is no different from normal flu seasons and is certainly lower than what we saw during the [2010] pandemic.”
The data has been released because of the levels of public concern, she said, adding that those in at-risk groups should attend their doctor for the flu jab. “The majority of those who develop swine flu recover within a few days,” she said.
Two days ago it was confirmed that some 200 people had contracted the disease and that those in the 15-44 age group were the most severely affected.
“For the majority of people flu remains a mild, self-limiting, often unpleasant infection, but nonetheless the vast majority recover,” Dr Harper said.