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SALT LAKE CITY -- People complaining of the flu are flooding hospital emergency rooms in the Salt Lake Valley.
Related:
WHO likely to declare flu pandemic Thursday
The World Health Organization held an emergency swine flu meeting Thursday and was likely to declare the first flu pandemic in 41 years.Some people are simply showing up at ERs because they've been exposed to the illness or they want antiviral drugs.
The situation became so serious on Monday the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray started turning away ambulances, sending them to other hospitals. That day, the emergency room saw 70 more patients than usual.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports in general, emergency rooms in the Salt Lake Valley are seeing 20 to 30 percent more patients right now.
Handshake becomes less popular amid health scares
With super-bugs and scares over the H1N1 virus, some people have been recommending people keep their hands to themselves, even when it comes to the longstanding customary greeting of a hand-shake.Currently 71 people are hospitalized with the swine flu in the Salt Lake Valley. Doctors say the numbers might be peaking.
Health officials urge people with only minor symptoms to stay home.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
