Here’s a roundup of today’s local and national news on the H1N1 virus (swine flu) front:

• St. Louis County reports that flu illnesses are now at numbers typically seen in January and February, the typical peak of a flu season.  There have been 495 cases reported so far for the 2009-2010 season. Last season, there were a total of 1,176 cases. Most flu cases are not tested or reported, so the actual numbers are thought to be much higher. Virtually all of the flu viruses now circulating are of the H1N1 variety.
• The first small shipments of H1N1 flu vaccine should start arriving on Tuesday, but probably not in St. Louis or Missouri. The city and state are not among 25 health departments whose orders have been processed with the federal government for their supply. Chicago’s health department has filed its order. Local health officials were not immediately available to comment on their orders, but have said they expect vaccine to be available here by mid-October.
• The first 600,000 doses distributed nationally on Tuesday will be in nasal spray form, which is only recommended for healthy people ages 2 to 49. The shots, which should start to become available late next week, are recommended first for babies and their caretakers, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and medical workers. Those groups as well as people older than 50 are also advised to get a separate seasonal flu shot which is now widely available.
• The St. Louis Circuit Court announced today it will start to summon 200 potential jurors on Monday mornings and 200 on Monday afternoons to reduce crowding in hopes of lowering the risk of flu transmission. Typically, all 400 potential jurors come to the courthouse in the morning.
• People with asthma can join a clinical trial of the H1N1 vaccine at Washington University. The school hopes to recruit 70 to 100 volunteers 12 years and older to test the shots’ efficacy in people with the respiratory disorder, who are at higher risk of contracting the virus. Call 314-362-8892 for more information.
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital set up two tents this week to handle patient overflow from the emergency room because of an increase in flu complaints. The tents have not been needed yet.
• State and local health officials have not confirmed that the death of 14-year-old Asia Conley of north St. Louis County was attributed to complications of H1N1. Conley’s mother said doctors told her the teen tested positive for flu.
• The Charleston R-1 School District in southeast Missouri has cancelled classes and school events until Monday because of high numbers of kids out sick with flu symptoms. A local news station reports that 200 kids are sick, about 20 percent of the district’s student population. According to the district’s website, homecoming has been rescheduled for Oct. 23.