October 21, 2009

Flu outbreak precautions in place
in Denver Archdiocese, officials say

 By John Gleason

Every year during flu season, the public is encouraged to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when coughing, stay home if they feel sick and—most important—get vaccinated.

This year, people are being subjected to the double-whammy of two strains of flu, which are making their way through the general public.  In addition to the regular strain of influenza, the H1N1 or “swine flu” is making people sick and sending them to the hospital. 

In statistics released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 691 people have been hospitalized with the flu this season, the H1N1 strain accounting for 350 of those cases.  This year, 14 people have died from swine flu in the state, a half-dozen of those victims under the age of 18. 

Although more than 70 million doses of the seasonal flu vaccine have been distributed since mid-September, this accounts for just 61 percent of the doses needed for this year.  Last week, local public health agencies and hospitals began receiving the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine, given mostly to health care workers so they can protect themselves and patients with whom they come in contact.

The Archdiocese of Denver has been proactive in drawing up a plan on precautions to take to keep the virus from spreading in church environments and on what to do should the flu reach epidemic proportions.   The plan traces its origins to an announcement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops more than three years ago.  At that time the avian influenza virus or “bird flu” was showing outbreaks in many parts of the world and the USCCB called for prudent planning for the possibility of a world-wide influenza pandemic.

Here in the Archdiocese of Denver, a committee was established to come up with a plan that could be put into action should the situation reach epidemic proportions.  Among the committee members were archdiocesan Communications Director Jeanette DeMelo, Risen Christ Parish’s Deacon Joseph Babish, director of St. Simeon Cemetery Lloyd Swint, and Liturgy Office Director Deacon Charles Parker.  Msgr. Edward Buelt, pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Foxfield, chaired the committee.

“The plan we came up with consisted of three parts,” explained Msgr. Buelt. “The first part establishes general protocol’s in view of any diocesan emergency or catastrophe, explaining who is responsible for different parts of the response plan; the second deals with responses to a pandemic, whatever that may be in view of the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control guidelines; and the final part deals specifically with liturgical and pastoral protocols that can be implemented at any level.”

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., maintains contact with members of the pandemic committee and local health officials as to current flu status.  If all members agree that the situation has reached a critical level, protocols contained in the plan will then be implemented, according to Deacon Parker.

“The archbishop has informed all parishes that extraordinary ministers should be using some sort of alcohol based sanitizer to disinfect their hands prior to the distribution of holy Communion,” he said.  “But if the situation was to worsen, other steps would be taken in accordance with the third part of the response plan.”

Other steps include possible suspension of distribution of Communion under the form of the Precious Blood and the suspension of distributing Eucharist on the tongue.  If the crisis were to worsen, holy water would be removed from the fonts in the church substituting bottled holy water for people’s use, temporary suspension of the sign of peace and even a social distancing in worshiping assemblies, meaning people would be seated in every other pew.  But Deacon Parker also had some advice for those who feel like they may be coming down with the flu.

“Stay home,” he said.  “That’s the greatest thing anyone can do to prohibit the spread of the virus in our gathered assembly on Sunday.”

The archdiocesan Web site contains information on both strains of influenza, which includes the latest guidelines, frequently asked questions and links to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  They can be found online at www.archden.org. Click on Office of Liturgy.

The watchword, according to Msgr. Buelt, is preparedness and the lay faithful should be aware that the Archdiocese of Denver is ready to respond.

“The important thing for people to realize is that with this plan we are prepared,” he said.  “Parishes, Christian and religious communities and schools are prepared ahead of time to be proactive, not reactive should a catastrophe or pandemic occur.”