How Much is Swine Flu Costing the City?
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: May 5, 2009
While Lubbock has yet to have any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, preparations continue at the Health Department. But all those preparations, to deal with no Swine Flu? Well, it could add up.
Since testing began last Tuesday, health officials tell us they've spent just under $9,000. But it's not costing you, the taxpayer, just yet. Previously budgeted funds between several city departments are footing the bill, plus a little help from the state. Even with that -- it's good to note the costs are taken care of by proper planning here locally.
Lewis Treadwell, Deputy Chief of Emergency Services: "We were prepared for it. We've practiced and exercised, over the last 4 or 5 years, we do have a pandemic flu plan in the city that we exercise with on a regular basis. So we're basically following that plan at this point."
Again, all of these costs aren't being paid for by tax dollars, but Treadwell says he's not ruling it out completely, just because they don't know how long the threat of Swine Flu is going to last.
