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H1N1 Wave Hits Lincoln
By MARK ANDERSEN / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 6:45 pm | No Comments Posted
H1N1 flu has turned up the heat on area schools, clinics and hospitals.
Zeman Elementary and Southeast High schools each reported more than 15 percent of students out sick Tuesday.
And 10 other public schools across the city reported absences of at least 10 percent, said Judy Zabel, LPS supervisor of health services.
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center set a record in doctor referrals between 7 a.m. 5 p.m. Tuesday, consulting on or admitting 25 referred patients.
"Not all were flu," said hospital spokeswoman Jo Miller, "but definitely a big portion were."
Staffers in the hospital's emergency department, she said, sense that while there have been flu bumps before, this feels like a wave.
"Flu activity has increased significantly," said Tim Timmons of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
Proof of the statement could be seen in area clinic waiting rooms, where traffic ranged from slightly elevated to "swamped" or "slammed," Miller reported.
On Wednesday, the Nebraska City Medical Clinic converted its break room into triage staging after it was mobbed by 30 to 40 patients before 1 p.m., Miller said.
And Family Health Physicians clinic at 4501 S. 70th in Lincoln had nearly exhausted its supply of patient masks.
Emergency departments at both BryanLGH Medical Center hospitals filled last weekend, said spokesman Edgar Bumanis.
Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state's chief medical officer, struggled to hit the proper tone without evoking panic.
She stressed a hospital visit isn't warranted without unusual circumstances.
For the vast majority of people, the new H1N1 flu virus -- the predominant strain circulating -- provokes a few days of aches, coughs and fever. People who get sick should stay home, rest and take fluids.
Yet, at least 800 Nebraskans have been hospitalized for flu so far this year, and, "We've had some seriously ill people," Schaefer said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Nebraska among 37 states showing widespread flu outbreaks.
By MARK ANDERSEN / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 6:45 pm | No Comments Posted
H1N1 flu has turned up the heat on area schools, clinics and hospitals.
Zeman Elementary and Southeast High schools each reported more than 15 percent of students out sick Tuesday.
And 10 other public schools across the city reported absences of at least 10 percent, said Judy Zabel, LPS supervisor of health services.
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center set a record in doctor referrals between 7 a.m. 5 p.m. Tuesday, consulting on or admitting 25 referred patients.
"Not all were flu," said hospital spokeswoman Jo Miller, "but definitely a big portion were."
Staffers in the hospital's emergency department, she said, sense that while there have been flu bumps before, this feels like a wave.
"Flu activity has increased significantly," said Tim Timmons of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
Proof of the statement could be seen in area clinic waiting rooms, where traffic ranged from slightly elevated to "swamped" or "slammed," Miller reported.
On Wednesday, the Nebraska City Medical Clinic converted its break room into triage staging after it was mobbed by 30 to 40 patients before 1 p.m., Miller said.
And Family Health Physicians clinic at 4501 S. 70th in Lincoln had nearly exhausted its supply of patient masks.
Emergency departments at both BryanLGH Medical Center hospitals filled last weekend, said spokesman Edgar Bumanis.
Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state's chief medical officer, struggled to hit the proper tone without evoking panic.
She stressed a hospital visit isn't warranted without unusual circumstances.
For the vast majority of people, the new H1N1 flu virus -- the predominant strain circulating -- provokes a few days of aches, coughs and fever. People who get sick should stay home, rest and take fluids.
Yet, at least 800 Nebraskans have been hospitalized for flu so far this year, and, "We've had some seriously ill people," Schaefer said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Nebraska among 37 states showing widespread flu outbreaks.