Skyrocketing Flu Rate Brings More Patients to Buffalo Hospital

Severe flu cases are making their mark — they make up as high as 50 percent of Buffalo Hospital's patients, have kept area urgent care clinics busy, and increased the demand for flu shots from Wright County Human Services.

"We are seeing more patients than we normally see this time of year," said Buffalo Hospital President Jennifer Myster. "So far, we've been able to keep up, but we have been very busy, especially in our emergency department."

In the emergency department, the hospital has seen days where they are seeing double the patients they normally see.

"It's been significant," Myster said. "There's a high volume in the emergency room with patients with influenza-like symptoms. What we see in the hospital are complications because of the flu, like pneumonia, or an underlying medical condition that's aggravated because of the flu."

Local statistics for Wright County have not been available from the state — because of the number of cases, and the decrease in staff at the Minnesota Department of Health. The state epidemiologist who usually provides local statistics on flu cases to Wright County has not been able to release that data, said Wright County Public Health Nurse Catherine Main.

Buffalo hospital has seen patients come from metro area hospitals for emergency room care because of shorter wait times.

Flu Activity Levels
Flu season came early to Minnesota, and according to the Minnesota Department of Health, the state's flu activity level is currently categorized as "widespread," — the highest activity category. This means there is an increase in influenza-like illness or outbreaks in at least half of the state's regions.

This time last year, flu levels were categorized four levels lower — as "sporadic."

The most recent statistics show that nearly 600 people have been hospitalized for lab-confirmed influenza this season. However, not all patients who have the flu are tested for it.

At least five people have died, including two teens: Carly Christenson, a 14-year-old St. Louis Park girl who died Tuesday, and Max Schwolert, 17.

The most common strain of influenza that's spreading is influenza A/H3.

Timing
The flu season normally peaks in January and February. But Buffalo Hospital saw a peak of flu patients around the holidays, Myster said. 

"One of our challenges is our staff has been getting the flu, too," she added. "So we've had people working overtime and picking up shifts, and we've been able to keep up."

The hospital is tightening its visitor restrictions. Currently, those with any illness or flu symptoms are asked not to visit. But Myster is looking at adding other restrictions — a limit on the number of visitors, and a minimum age for visitors, not allowing children ages 12 and under to visit patients.

"It's something that can be caught — it's an airborne illness, so we want to minimize their chance of getting it," Myster said.