Grand Valley informs campus community of student death

The Kent County health department has advised Grand Valley State University that a 33-year-old student has died after being hospitalized for nearly a week with complications from the H1N1 influenza.

John David Prince, 33, of Grand Rapids, died Thursday evening. He had been hospitalized since October 25 at Spectrum/Blodgett. Prince did not live in university housing.

"We are saddened by Mr. Prince's passing and we want to express our sympathies to his family, friends and those who had classes with him," said Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas.

For students who knew Prince, Grand Valley's Counseling Center staff will be available to come to classes to talk to students or to meet with them individually. The Counseling Center can be reached at 331-3266.

The Campus Health Center will proceed with its planned H1N1 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 3 from 7:30-9 a.m. Because supplies are limited, the vaccine is being made available consistent with the protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ottawa County Health Department. Priority recipients include:
• pregnant women
• caregivers and those who live in households with children younger that 6 months of age
• people 6 months through 24 years old
• people 25-64 who have health conditions associated with a greater risk of medical complications from influenza

Vaccinations take about two weeks to become effective. Medical professionals advise continuing routine precautions and taking extra precautions against the flu, including washing hands frequently. Tamiflu is no longer recommended for those with early symptoms or who may have been in contact with someone with the flu.

Grand Valley students, faculty and staff members are asked to stay informed about the H1N1 virus, its symptoms (fever, cough, aches, sore throat and fatigue) and to take precautions to stay healthy, as outlined below:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;
• Stay home if you have flu symptoms.

More information about the outbreak can be found on the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, and on Grand Valley’s emergency preparedness site, www.gvsu.edu/emergency.