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La Maestra Clinics: 3 More Suspected Cases In County

POSTED: 12:44 pm PDT April 29, 2009
UPDATED: 9:59 pm PDT April 29, 2009

A shipment of anti-viral Tamiflu was delivered to a La Maestra Community Health Center Wednesday, with three patients at the clinic suspected of having swine flu.

The clinic is waiting for test results to confirm if the three patients are infected.

"The result is now pending, but we don't have a case that makes us suspicious about the virus itself," said Dr. Mumtaz Almansour.

Almansour told 10News the clinic is fully equipped to handle most medical problems.

La Maestra runs community clinics out of City Heights, El Cajon, National City, and Hoover High School.

Clinic director Zara Marselian said La Maestra is unique because it serves one of the most diverse communities in the country. This means translators are equipped to handle up to 20 different languages at the clinics. It also means many patients walk in not knowing much about the current health scare.

A woman named Marian brought her three children to the clinic, the youngest of which is ill.

Marian tells doctors through translators that she is concerned about the swine flu.

"They don't understand what's happening. They understand English enough to pick up the details," said Marselian.

La Maestra runs six clinics in San Diego County. Since the swine flu first hit, one clinic in City Heights has seen a 15- to 30-percent increase in the need for its services.

Gary Rotto of the Council of Community Clinics said, "These clinics are the safety net for the community; the safety net of community services."

Now the clinic awaits word on three patients and their potential cases of swine flu.

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