The worst of the swine flu that swept through nearly half of Duke's roster appears to be over. The Blue Devils actually had enough players for a 60-play scrimmage Saturday morning, but officials are still taking every precaution.
"We're leading the country in antiseptic. I wash my hands about 38 times a day, minimum," coach David Cutcliffe told the Herald-Sun.
Cutcliffe announced Friday that nearly 50% of his team had suffered from symptoms believed to be related to the H1N1 virus since the start of training camp Aug. 5. One player had officially tested positive for the virus and other players are presumed to have had it.
"This time of year, that's the only flu that's around," trainer Hap Zarzour said. "Adding another step to the process is cumbersome for the student that doesn't feel good, and it just gives you a number. We're not interested in a number; we're just interested in treating them well."
Players were given hand sanitizing products. In addition, there were reminders to be hygienic in all their actions.
"I think we are on the downhill part of it. But there is a new day tomorrow and as long as it's around, you just don't know ... I know it's been handled extremely well, and so we're just taking it one day at a time," said Cutcliffe, who has been battling a sore throat but nothing else.
The first reported case of swine flu in Durham was in May. In June, officials confirmed 17 cases of the virus on campus.
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Posted by: swine flu | August 17, 2009 at 04:05 AM