Statement From Governor David A. Paterson On First New York Swine Flu Death

May 17, 2009 -- “It is with great sadness tonight that we learn that New York has lost one of its residents to an illness related to H1N1. Speaking for all New Yorkers, our condolences and prayers go to Mitchell Wiener’s family, friends, co-workers and students. I know he will be missed at the Intermediate School 238 in Hollis.

“The New York State Department of Health (DOH) remains on heightened alert to respond to the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. DOH continues to work closely with local public health departments that are carefully monitoring the situation, particularly with respect to absenteeism in schools.

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“DOH is working with the State Education Department to develop a standardized, real-time method of collecting absenteeism data from schools to assist local health departments with monitoring their communities. The agencies have also provided guidance on H1N1 to schools, which includes communicating with their local health departments if they are experiencing unusual rates of absenteeism.”

For more information about H1N1 please visit http://www.ny.gov/h1n1/index.html.

Source: New York Governor