Both county and regional health officials are noticing a spike in influenza cases in the past few weeks that are causing overcrowding in Clark County’s emergency rooms.
Both PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and Clark County Public Health have issued statements acknowledging the spike in confirmed cases of the flu, issuing releases on the development last week.
On Jan. 8 PeaceHealth’s emergency department recorded a 15 percent increase in emergency visits, mostly due to patients reporting flu-like symptoms, a release from the medical center stated, adding that it required additional staff to deal with the surge.
“Patients who come to our hospital with flu-like symptoms are tested with a nasal swab,” PeaceHealth Southwest Infection Preventionist Heidi Lancaster-Rice stated in the release. “In the past week we have seen the daily number of confirmed cases of influenza in our hospital jump to nearly 50. That's about what we commonly see at the peak of a typical flu season.”
Lancaster-Rice said Clark County's influenza rate is far higher than both state and national levels, according to the release.
“The percentage of positive flu results in Washington is about 14 percent, and about 15 percent nationally. Clark County is at 36 percent,” Lancaster-Rice stated in the release. “We are extremely high in our little community.”
PeaceHealth Southwest has a protocol for patients with flu-like symptoms, the release stated. So-called “droplet isolation” rooms help to limit the potential spread of flu virus in the facility.
As of the Jan. 9 release, 50 PeaceHealth Southwest patients were in droplet isolation protocol, which also has caregivers wearing masks and gloves when dealing with droplet isolation patients, as well as to follow strict hand hygiene guidelines.
Dr. Stephen Kormanyos, Medicine Department Chair at PeaceHealth Southwest, said many people with the flu can treat themselves effectively at home with rest and plenty of liquids, the release stated.
“Most people who have the flu will be uncomfortable but do not need to go to an emergency department,” Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer and Public Health director stated in a release from the department.
However, patients experiencing certain symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.
“Anyone who is struggling with breathing, persistent high fever, fatigue, dizziness or not able to keep food or fluids down should seek medical care,”Kormanyos stated in the release. “We have medications that can reduce the duration of flu symptoms if delivered early enough.”
PeaceHealth’s release also stressed for those suffering from flu-like symptoms to take advantage of urgent care centers where cost and wait times could be significantly lower than a hospital emergency room.
“With flu season shifting into high gear, it's critically important that we each do all we can to protect ourselves,” PeaceHealth Infection Preventionist Disha Sampat stated in the release. “First, get a flu shot. You may hear rumors that this year's flu shot is a not a good match with this year's virus, but do not let that stop you from taking action to protect yourself. It's simply too early in the flu season for the CDC to be able to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine.”
“Get a flu shot, wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, and be extra vigilant around high-touch surfaces such as door handles, telephones, gas pumps,” Sampat stated in the release. “Those surfaces can act as hosts for the influenza virus for hours after contamination.”
The last word of advice from PeaceHealth's infection prevention team was to “be conscientious,” as Lancaster-Rice stated in the release.
“If you have a cough or sneeze, use the sleeve of your elbow rather than your hand. Use hand sanitizer generously, and be mindful of exposing your colleagues at work,” Lancaster-Rice wrote. “If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay home until the symptoms have cleared.”
