Nine feared to have swine flu

Nine patients were today seriously ill and suspected of suffering from swine flu on a Black Country hospital ward where a woman with the disease died.

Visitors and staff have reportedly been told to wear masks on the 30-bed critical care unit at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, where the nine are in bays and side rooms pending outcome of tests.

Another ward with up to 30 more patients identified as possible swine flu sufferers was closed to further admissions and visitors discouraged from going there.

There is no suggestion any patient caught the disease in hospital. Those under observation had symptoms when admitted and other serious underlying health problems.

Hospital chief executive David Loughton said today: "Nine patients in the critical care unit have been swabbed for possible swine flu and we are still awaiting the results of those tests.

"They all have underlying health problems and we are not expecting all of them to be confirmed as flu sufferers.

"Another respiratory care ward where some patients are currently under observation for possible swine flu is temporarily closed to further admissions."

There are at least three confirmed cases of swine flu among patients at the hospital but that number is expected to grow today with the results of tests on others.

A similar number were confirmed at Walsall Manor Hospital where a ward was set up amid a wave of admissions.

Phil Walmsley, interim director of operations, said: "The area is fully staffed and we would like to reassure our patients that we are continuing to provide a high standard of care, during this busy time."

Staff were called back early from holiday to cope with extra patients at Dudley's Russell Hall Hospital while Helen Eden, spokeswoman for Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich; Rowley Regis Hospital and City Hospital, Birmingham said: "We are currently isolating seriously ill patients "