| July 1, 2009 H1N1 death toll in Boston rises to 4
|
(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts health officials announced that two more people in Massachusetts have died from the H1N1 (swine) flu, bringing the number of dealths from the illness to four.
"Sadly, we have learned that two more Boston residents have succumbed to illness associated with H1N1. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of both residents, their friends and other loved ones," said Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission in a press release. "While most cases of H1N1 in Boston and nationwide have not resulted in death, this news demonstrates how serious influenza can be," she said.
State health officials say one Boston resident was a 52-year-old man who died at his home on June 26. who has tested positive for H1N1 influenza. The second Boston resident was a 30-year-old man who was hospitalized on June 15 and died June 29. He is a probable case of H1N1 influenza, pending confirmation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
On Monday, local and state public health officials announced that test results confirmed that the death of an 84-year-old Boston man on June 18 was linked to H1N1 influenza. The first reported H1N1-related death in Massachusetts was a 30-year-old Boston woman who died June 14.
In Boston, there have been 475 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu and 70 hospitalizations since spring when the virus first surfaced. Massachusetts has reported 1287 confirmed cases
