By Dominic Bailey BBC News Online in Barrow-in-Furness

The impact of the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the south Lakeland town of Barrow in Furness was hardened by the death of 88-year-old Richard Macaulay.

Since Thursday, at least 92 cases have been confirmed and there are still more than 30 suspect cases awaiting results.

People in the town centre have started to come to terms with the fact that there appears to be no further risk from the suspected source of the outbreak.

But medical practices are still busy with patients eager to find out whether their chest infection or sore throat is in fact something more serious.

Initially there was a school of thought that the disease was contagious and that naturally had an impact on staff and residents

Paul Fraser, retirement home owner

There is no widespread panic or exodus from the area but the message that Legionnaires' disease is not contagious and the source appears to have been shut down, has been a little slow to get through.

Dr Liz Nugent, of the Abbey Practice, said most patients had been very calm and sensible.

"We've operated a policy of 'come up straight away and we'll see you'," she said.

"Even in the only cases we've had that have been positive, people have been very calm."

At least two of the practice's patients have been confirmed as positive, others have been given antibiotics as they await test results.

Absent friend

"On Monday people with chest infections or sore throats, who probably wouldn't have come up, did so," she said.

"We erred on the side of caution.

"People haven't been over worried at all - they have had rapid and direct access from the start."

Mr Macaulay, from Barrow, died on Friday from Legionnaires' disease.

Paul Fraser, the owner of the Risedale Retirement and Residential Home, where Mr Macaulay stayed for 10 days before being admitted to hospital said it has taken the public a while to understand the disease and the possibility of infection.

"We were very upset that he subsequently died because he was a nice fellow and very sociable and gregarious with the other residents," he said.

"Initially there was a school of thought that the disease was contagious and that naturally had an impact on staff and residents."

But Mr Fraser said the fears dissipated once the facts about the illness were explained.

One of the chaplains at the Furness General Hospital, the Reverend Graham Garbutt, has also played a role in comforting patients and relatives and staff.

Element of fear

The best way he can do that, he says, is to listen.

"When frightening things happen to people they want someone to listen to what's been happening, to listen to their fears and their worries," he said.

"There has been a great element of fear but I think it is difficult for the media to report any incident without making it more frightening than it is.

"There has been added anxiety of friends ringing up from abroad asking people if they are alright.

Richard Macauley: died from the disease

"But I think real anxiety is of the unknown, that is what we all fear.

"The hospital has done a good job in letting people know what we are dealing with and letting most people know they are going to be fine."

He said the pressure on staff caused by the incident has meant he has also had to lend a hand moving beds, pushing patients and serving tea in Accident and Emergency.

"It's not normal chaplaincy, but it's good to be there for people," he said.

On the street, there is still some uncertainty.

Albert York, 52, from Barrow, said most people who had used the alleyway where the infection is believed to have started were very worried.

"I have a friend who has it and I have heard stories of other people who have it. We're still not sure about where it is.

"They keep saying it has hit its peak and then it is going to peak. It is a bit frightening to think it can happen here."