A person in upstate Onondaga County is the first person outside New York City to die of swine flu, according to the state Department of Health.

Eight other people, all in New York City, have died from the virus. No deaths have been reported in the Lower Hudson Valley. There have been a total of 780 confirmed cases of the flu in New york, including 24 in Westchester and 6 in Rockland. No cases have been reported in Putnam.

A Wesley Hills preschool has closed for cleaning because several students have come down with the flu. Gail Doroff, owner of Robin Hill School, said several youngsters have contracted Type A influenza, also known as seasonal flu, prompting the school to close Monday and today.

The school will reopen this week. Kathleen Henry, deputy Rockland Commissioner of Health, said that no youngsters at the school have been diagnosed with swine flu. The school made the decision to close before consulting with the Department of Health, she said.

There have been six confirmed cases of swine flu in Rockland, according to state records.

A panel of health-care professionals, patients and advocates will host a forum this Friday morning to discuss issues with getting quality and affordable health-care locally.

The public is invited to voice their opinions to the Access to Care Coalition of Westchester and Putnam Counties on June 5th at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held in the offices of Diversified Investment Advisors, 4 Manhattanville Road in Purchase.

Topics will include the debate on national health-care reform, breaking down barriers to health-care and what the Westchester Medical Center’s role may be in local health care.

Rep. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) is expected to attend.

To register, call (914) 397-8811, or e-mail Lillian.Jones@cancer.org.