The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has yet to identify what specifically caused the death of Federal Emergency Management Agency staffer Thomas Stilwell from \u201cinfluenza-like\u201d symptoms.<\/p>\n
In a news briefing yesterday afternoon at the CHCC conference room, Medical Director Dr. Daniel Lamar said their investigation showed it \u201cwas complications from influenza, which does occur and happens in some people who have higher risk factors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stilwell passed away at the Commonwealth Health Center Saturday evening. He was 65.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve discussed in our Flu-Watch Campaign for people who are older and their immune system is not working well, those are people who are most susceptible and can experience complications of influenza. That is why we stress that in our campaign,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Stilwell suffered from respiratory problems, most likely complications from the influenza symptoms, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo real cause of death but the only thing we know is he was having influenza-like symptoms,\u201d Lamar said.<\/p>\n
According to Lamar, CHCC has seen a spike in the number of influenza-like illnesses in the community and tests on those who\u2019ve gone to the Commonwealth Health Center confirm that.<\/p>\n
Those who are most vulnerable to influenza are children ages 6 months to 2 years of age and people 65 years old or more.<\/p>\n
Warren Villagomez, Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program director, said they activated the Flu-Watch Campaign a month ago and have printed materials that will be distributed at the U.S Postal Service in Chalan Kanoa, the Nutrition Assistance Program in As Lito, and other areas to educate the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlu shots will be provided later when we get the vaccine,\u201d Villagomez said.<\/p>\n
If anyone is feeling sick, CHCC urges people to stay home, don\u2019t go to work, and just rest or visit the hospital to get checked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s here in the community and we want to let the public know that this is another reason to exercise prevention,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lamar noted that Stilwell is so far the only known death from influenza-like symptoms despite the increase in influenza-like illnesses in the community.<\/p>\n
However, there isn\u2019t any specific numbers on the increase and no further details on Stilwell\u2019s death was provided by CHCC.<\/p>\n
CHCC chief executive officer Esther Mu\u00f1a assured that the corporation is \u201cclosely monitoring this incident among flu-like symptoms that we have been seeing through our clinics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muna noted that they have been doing some testing and they will be sending them to Hawaii for further tests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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