Lariccias donate to adult day program

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Tony and Mary Lariccia of Boardman have added to their legacy of generosity by donating $60,000 to the Mahoning County District Board of Health’s Adult Day Services program for the third consecutive year.

The Lariccias’ original gift in 2008 came when the program was in danger of closing for lack of money. At the time, they pledged $60,000 a year for as long as necessary to keep the program, which serves 20 to 25 clients a day, operating.

The health board accepted the donation at its meeting Wednesday and thanked the Lariccias for their gift.

“It’s been a godsend for that program,” said board member Donald A. Somers.

The board also got an update on H1N1 influenza.

It did not become the pandemic that national public health officials predicted last year, but it, along with seasonal flu, were nevertheless widespread and deadly.

Dr. John Venglarcik, health board medical director, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, estimated there were 59 million cases worldwide and 235,000 flu-related hospital admissions in the U.S.

He said there were between 9,000 and 11,000 flu deaths in the U.S. between April 26, 2009, when the CDC declared the pandemic, and the end of February.

The hardest-hit population groups were children birth to 4 years and adults 50 to 64. People 65 and older were not affected as severely, he said.

Despite the lower-than-expected death toll and light flu activity now in all areas of the country except Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, Dr. Venglarcik said the CDC recommends that people who have not received the vaccine get it.

The CDC does not expect a third wave of H1N1 flu to develop this spring, but the health-care organization put out a reminder that the first wave was detected last April and urged continued vigilance, Dr. Venglarcik said.

In other action, the board, during its reorganization meeting, elected Dr. Lisa Weiss as president and Leonard A. Perry as vice president. The board will continue to meet at 8 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the board offices at 50 Westchester Drive.