Some British parishioners are being advised to hug each other rather than shake hands “as a sign of peace” measured by churches in order to stop the spread of H1NI swine flu, according to the AFP news.
The Church of England has introduced the measure in it Southwark diocese in southeast London as people are concerned about the increasingly spread of
swine flu in Britain, according to the Financial Times.
Some churches in England have also begun to allow “intinction” or dipping bread in communion wine rather than sharing the chalice.
Others have stopped providing wine altogether, said the AFP news.
A British bishop has already advised his diocese to suspend holy water from churches in a bid to halt the spread of the Swine flu.
The AFP added the measures have also been introduced to other countries, including Portugal where church goers are to take communion by having the host placed in their hands rather than their mouth.
The Swine flu has already reach 31 deaths around UK while 700 deaths worldwide, World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a press conference reported by the BBC.
Latest update from the BBC website, it says the National Flu Service is expected to go live later, which will give thousands of swine flu sufferers access to drugs without needing to consult a GP.
The phone and website service will only cover England, which is the first of its kind in the world, said the BBC.
The service is designed to relieve pressure on the NHS, which will use a checklist to diagnose the cases.
Expectant mother, people with underlying health problems and young kids will still all be referred to GPs, said the BBC.
However, the Department of Health said the service could be abused by people giving the answers they believe they will be given access to anti-flu drugs.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said it is a price worth paying to help the NHS cope with its “biggest challenge in a generation”.
He told the BBC the flu service might just be the first step in how the health service responds to a pandemic.
He continued, according to the BBC, non-emergency operations can be cancelled under contingency plans, and doctors can be moved around the health service to help flu hotspots cope.
The flu service does have some security checks the report says. Those who are diagnosed with swine flu are given a voucher number as a flu friend to collect their drugs from a collection point.
Each person has their own unique number therefore the service will know if an individual is trying to get more anti-viral drugs than he or she is supposed to have.
The flu friend will also need to present ID for the patient when they collect his or her drug.
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