Algoma Public Health says it will have its flu appointment lines open this weekend due to high demand. Appointments can be made tomorrow and Sunday from 9 a-m to 3 p-m. The phone lines will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a-m to 8 p-m until further notice. The phone numbers are 541-2332 or 1-800-469-2249. More than 20 thousand residents in Algoma have already booked their flu appointments.

New visitor restrictions are in effect for the Sault Area Hospital’s Emergency Room. Visitors will only be allowed to bring one person with them to the E-R in an attempt to prevent the spread of infection. The changes come as the number of patients with flu-like symptoms in the Emergency Department has increased. Hospital Communications and Public Affairs officer Mario Paluzzi told EZ Rock News that while the wait times are not longer than they normally would be at this time, a test for swine flu is not guaranteed. Paluzzi adds the hospital is ready if the current wave of swine flu grows and command centres can be set up in a matter of hours — stressing it’s only a matter of mobilization. He says that this may be a sign of things to come — that the flu season typically peaks a little later in the season. In the meantime, Paluzzi suggests the best thing to do if you have any flu like symptoms is to stay home and wait it out, unless symptoms deteriorate.

Members of several law enforcement agencies filled the Marconi Club during yesterday’s Crime Prevention Seminar put on by the Sault Police Service and the Algoma Council on Domestic Violence. The main message aimed at those in attendance was to enhance communication between those groups against domestic violence and law enforcement. Retired Nashville Metro Police Department Officer Mark Wynn told EZ Rock News it has taken several years to create the largest police domestic violence investigative unit in the U-S, but adds that every group involved can stop it from happening. Wynn also addressed the crowd about a seperate challenge — reductions in police services while crime is on the rise. But he says with police working differently by focusing on preventative rather than repetitive methods, resulting in a greater focus on specific calls that work to stop a domestic violence situation before it starts.

Dawna Speers was a speaker at yesterday’s Crime Prevention Seminar at the Marconi Club. She created the Choices For Positive Youth Relationship Program after her daughter was killed by her ex-boyfriend. Speers spoke to EZ Rock News about one success story from Manitoulin Island, and how one young person’s question about her situation inspired him to change his life — a change that she didn’t know about until the following day after a school engagement. The young person had asked Speers why she wasn’t upset with the person who murdered her daughter — Speers responded that instead of hate and anger, she filled any empty feeling with love and understanding and a need to help others. The Choices program has been around for at least six years and is offered by both local school boards.

Representatives of Algoma University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) signed an official agreement today to collaborate on medical research for Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario. Algoma University Academic Dean Dr. Arthur Perlini says Algoma will be well positioned to be an active research partner with the medical school through the Innovation Centre’s expertise in health informatics, and the new bio sciences centre. Perlini says the agreement also helps advance a longstanding initiative by Algoma University to identify Sault Ste. Marie as a scientific research hub. Northern Ontario School of Medicine Dean Dr. Roger Strasser agrees these Algoma University facilities will benefit NOSM, and says collaborative agreements such as these increase chances for funding for research projects. Dr. Strasser says there are already a number of different funding applications in the works.

The Sault Police Service is offering a drug safety and education program for elementary school students again this year. The police are teaming up with Gateway Community Safety Net to present students with the handbook ‘Drug Safety’. In addition, the program will include an educational D-V-D that features games and quizzes. The disc connects to the Community Safety Net web site, where kids can enter contests for a chance to win prizes. The resources will assist police service school liaison officers in implementing the recently introduced ‘A-B-C-D’ Drug Initiative.

Changes are being made to the Amber Alert system, but the father of a Woodstock girl who was abducted and slain earlier this year says he’s not sure it would have made a difference in that case. O-P-P Inspector Dave Ross says the wording has been simplified to make it easier for police and the public to understand the guidelines for issuing an alert. Ross says the case of slain eight-year-old Victoria Stafford was a catalyst to initiate a review into the system. Victoria’s father, Rodney Stafford, says given the time it took to report the disappearance of his daughter, it’s not certain an Amber Alert would have helped.

A reminder for most drivers that Monday was the first day that a ban on hand-held devices while driving in Ontario goes into effect. The ban will actually start with a three month period focusing on education about the province’s new road rules hand-held communication and entertainment devices. Police will actually issue tickets starting on February 1st, 2010, but do have the authority to issue tickets during the education period.

Due to high demand – Algoma Public Health is extending their flu vaccination appointment – bookings from 8am – 8pm, until further notice. Updates are posted online at www.algomapublichealth.com. Meantime, Chippewa County Health Department is getting inundated with calls about the availability of their flu vaccines … and they say they’re still waiting for enough supply to open their clinics. In the meantime you can check their website for any updates … www.chippewahd.com

The Sault Area Hospital and Algoma Public Health are reminding people to avoid unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department now that flu season is arriving. In most cases, the risk of catching the flu can be reduced by washing your hands after coughing or sneezing and if you are sick, stay at home. If symptoms become worse, you should contact your health provider or Telehealth Ontario if you are pregnant or elderly, have a chronic illness, or have heart or lung disease. The agencies advise testing for influenza is recommended if patients are at high risk for complications or if they have worsening clinical status.