Patch Facts

Five Things to Know on Jan. 23: State Budget to be Unveiled

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 23. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham: 1. Colder: Some of the coldest weather in two years will hit us on Wednesday, with the temperature sticking to the teens all day. The windchill could be as low as -10 and the west wind will gust up to 20 miles per hour. 2. Flu: The spread of influenza seems to have slowed, but flu season is far from over. If you are still looking to get a flu shot, Addison Gilbert Hospital is hosting a flu shot clinic on Wednesday. The clinic will be held from 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. in the cafe at Addison Gilbert Hospital at 298 Washington St. in Gloucester. The clinic is open to anyone 4-year-old and up and is free. 3. Bridge: If you want to learn how to play Bridge…

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Flu Cases Up in Hamilton, Vaccine Still Available

Local doctor's offices still have flu vaccine available for what is the worst flu season in at least four years.

Cases of influenza in Hamilton have gone from one case at this time last year to 9 cases this year, according to the town's public health nurse, Kim Paskalis. And at Beverly Hospital, there's been more patients with flu so far this year than at this point of any of the past four flu seasons. The trend in Hamilton mirrors the trend across the state and nationwide. In Boston, for example, Mayor Thomas Menino declared a health emergency on Wednesday due to Boston's flu outbreak. A total of 18 people have died from the flu statewide this year, including a child under 6 in Boston on Friday. There have been more than 700 reported cases in Boston - a city of 625,000 people-  so far this flu season, according to the Boston Public Health Commission…

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