Soaring numbers of Swine Flu cases in Philadelphia has caused city officials to declare a public health emergency.
Hospital emergency rooms have been inundated with steadily increasing cases of the H1N1 virus, according to officials. Visits have increased by 25 percent since this time last year – a new record.
Officials are pleading with residents who have mild flu symptoms to stay away from emergency rooms.
"Emergency rooms are for the very sick. If medical staff and hospital staff have to deal with non-emergency cases, this diverts resources away from where they are desperately needed,” Health Commissioner Dr. Donald Schwarz said in a statement Friday.
In addition to warning the public, the declaration serves as an administrative move that will allow hospitals to access additional services like volunteers and alternative spaces. Bed limits and stay requirements can also be waived.
Symptoms of H1N1 mimic those of the regular flu. They include:
- Fever greater than 100 degrees
- Body aches
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Respiratory congestion
- In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting
