Rise in swine flu cases slowed by reversion to lab tests

Published on Thursday 18 June 2009 23:13

SEVEN new cases of swine flu were confirmed in Scotland yesterday after a surge in numbers earlier this week.

The total number of laboratory confirmed cases now stands at 537, but an additional 850 patients have also been clinically diagnosed by doctors, bringing the total to 1,387.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has now abandoned clinical diagnosis and returned to lab testing to confirm all new cases.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was likely that cases in the area would rise in coming days as results were returned.

A further 145 patients were confirmed with swine flu in England yesterday, taking the UK total to more than 1,750.

In Scotland, 411 possible cases and two probable cases are also being investigated. Six patients are in hospital with the virus.

A spokesman for the Department of Health in London said: "The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been generally mild in most people, but are proving to be severe in a small minority of cases."

Yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: "Scotland remains among the best,prepared countries in the world to deal with pandemic flu, and we are continuing to plan and prepare for any future eventuality."