Health 12-10

The Public Health Department announced in its weekly H1N1 update that, since 11/30, there have been seven new hospitalizations in the county linked to swine flu and two deaths. This brings the total number of countywide hospitalizations and deaths to 54 and five, respectively. According to the press release, the department has held 13 community vaccination clinics and administered vaccine to more than 10,000 residents. In addition, more than 50,000 doses have been given by local physicians at clinics and in private practice.

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Dr. Takashi Wada, currently the director of the Pasadena Public Health Department, has been appointed the new director of the County Public Health Department, the Board of Supervisors announced on 12/8. Wada, whose salary will be approximately $220,000 when he begins his duties in March, takes over after Dr. Elliot Schulman resigned earlier this year. As well as his MD, Wada has a master’s degree in public health.