Hotels to evict swine flu sufferers at toll hits 147
“We will work with people if their situation changes…”
Swine flu sufferers are facing the prospect of being kicked out of their hotels, because of fears of bad publicity.
Two hotels, the CBD’S Holiday Inn and the Meriton serviced apartments in Parramatta, are set to evict 14 people who need to be in isolation.
They had all been on board the Pacific Dawn cruise ship.
NSW’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant says authorities will now need to find other accommodation – quickly.
“In the cases that we’re aware of – we will work with people if their situation changes and work with them on either safely getting them home, or ensuring that alternative accommodation is found.”
Meanwhile, a dramatic rise in Victorian swine flu infections, taking that state’s tally to 96, has pushed the national total to 147.
The nation’s top doctor is calling for calm, while the federal government has placed an order for a new vaccine to combat the potentially deadly virus.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says just four people have been hospitalised with swine flu and most are recovering.
But the federal government’s placed an order with drug manufacturer CSL to secure 10 million doses of its swine flu vaccine, expected to be ready in months.
Its national antiviral stockpile now contains 3.4 million Relenza courses and 6.9 million Tamiflu courses.
Ms Roxon says the government’s supplying drugs to states and territories upon request, but has encouraged them to use their own supplies in all but urgent cases.
