Oct 31, 2009 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Philadelphia Declares H1N1 Health Emergency
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The swine flu outbreak has prompted the City of Philadelphia to declare a public health emergency.
Acting upon the recommendation of Health Commissioner Dr. Donald Schwarz, Mayor Nutter declared the emergency Friday.
An official declaration of a public health emergency allows hospitals to take necessary steps to alleviate burdens caused by the number of patient visits in light of the H1N1 Influenza pandemic.
Authorizes say hospitals are experiencing an approximate 25 percent increase in the number of ER visits for this time of year.
Dr. Schwarz delivered the following message to Philadelphians: "I cannot stress this enough - if you have mild flu symptoms please do not go to the emergency room. 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."
The declaration of a public health emergency enables hospitals to meet the growing demand for services by utilizing alternative spaces and volunteers. Authorities say it will also permit the transfer of patients between facilities and waive bed limits and length of stay requirements.
For more information on H1N1, visit
www.cbs3.com/flu.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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