Swine flu advances; arena bid awarded

The swine flu H1N1 virus that has swept around the world is getting closer to Wahkiakum County, public health officials said Tuesday.

Seven cases have been confirmed in Clark County, said Health Officer Dr. Barbara Fines, and one case has been confirmed in Columbia County, Ore.

"It's here to stay," she said.

The strain is very similar to normal seasonal flu strains, she said, but it seems to affect younger people more than the normal seasonal flu strains, she said.

Health officials ask that people with flu symptoms stay home to avoid spreading the illness.

Regional health department officials had scheduled a debriefing session yesterday (Wednesday), Health Department Administrator Judy Bright said. Statewide, public health efforts are focusing on cases that are hospitalized or result in fatalities.

In other business, Tuesday, commissioners awarded a contract to replace the fairgrounds arena to Pacific Tech Construction of Longview.

Pacific Tech submitted the lowest bid among seven bidders a week ago. The firm bid the project at $366,860. The next lowest bid, $408,033, came from J.H. Kelly Construction.

Ringen said the contract carries a completion date of August 15.