Kimberly Penwell Ward wants the community to know that her husband, Christopher Allen Ward was more than a statistic - he was the best.
"He was a wonderful father and husband," she said.
The 33-year-old Washington C.H. man died Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Mt. Carmel West hospital, Columbus, as a result of complications from H1N1.
Family members told the Record Herald that Ward was diagnosed on Nov. 8 with H1N1 and admitted to the hospital Nov. 6 with H1N1 and pneumonia. He was transported via medical helicopter to Mount Carmel Nov. 7, where he died the next day.
He was the county's first death from the virus, which, according to the federal estimates released last Thursday, has sickened about 22 million Americans since April and killed nearly 4,000, including 540 children, according to the Associated Press.
Since Christopher's death, Kimberly has been struggling on an emotional as well as financial level. The couple have three children- Dustin, 13, Dakendra, 2, and Mackenzie Ward, 1-and Kimberly works only part-time at Flagway.
But the support of the community following her husband's death has been a lifeline for the family, Kimberly said.
"Krogers and everyone have been just great," she said.
Krogers donated food and set out boxes to collect money to offset funeral expenses. Christopher's employer, Sugarcreek Packing also donated cash and food, as well as donations from family and friends. The Valley Bar in Bainbridge also has helped raise money for the family.
Until now, the Centers for Disease Control has conservatively estimated more than 1,000 deaths and "many millions" of new H1N1 infections. The agency was devoting more time to battling the pandemic than to counting it, and earlier figures were based on laboratory-confirmed cases even as doctors largely quit using flu tests months ago - and experts knew that deaths from things like the bacterial pneumonia that often follows flu were being missed.
Last Thursday's report attempts to calculate the first six months of the new H1N1 strain's spread, from April through mid-October. The CDC said:
• Some 98,000 people have been hospitalized from this new flu or its complications, including 36,000 children, 53,000 adults younger than 65 and 9,000 older adults.
• Deaths could range from a low of 2,500 to as many as 6,100, depending on how the data's analyzed.
• Some 8 million children have become ill, 12 million adults younger than 65 and 2 million older adults.
Fayette County continues efforts to vaccinate priority groups against the virus.
Another free H1N1 clinic is scheduled for Thursday 5-7 p.m. at the Fayette County Health Department, 317 S. Fayette St.
Those children ages 9 and under who received their first H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 21 or 22 are now due to receive their second dose and may come to the Thursday clinic. Those children who will be receiving their first dose of vaccine on Thursday should come back in a month for a second dose.
Pregnant women, children 6 months-24 years old, health care workers (with work ID), caregivers and parents of infants less than 6 months old and those individuals 25 - 64 years of age with chronic health conditions are eligible to be vaccinated. Chronic health conditions include heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease (including asthma), kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease and those immunosuppressed. This group does NOT include those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Meanwhile, Kimberly continues to work through her grief.
"You couldn't find a better man. I just can't explain it," she said.
The family continues to accept donations. Donations can be sent to 1400 Grace St., Apt. D, Washington C.H. Ohio 43160.
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