Salem (Ore.) Health's CNO said the hospital saw a 20 percent surge in emergency department and hospital visits last week attributed in part to an increase in influenza cases, reports Statesman Journal.
On average, the department serves approximately 300 patients daily. However, last week the number of patients per day averaged 370, with one day tallying a new record of 377 patients.
Salem Health CNO Sarah Horn said the hospital cared for 69 patients and 18 inpatients testing positive for the flu virus last week. On Jan. 5, Salem Health had twice the amount of patients on special droplet precautions to curb infection spread, according to the report.