Emergency Rooms are full, flu season to get worse

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Hospital Emergency Rooms are full as the flu outbreak continues to get worse. There are already over 1,600 more cases than last year.

"It feels like there have been 2 millions of just my patients but actually there has been 194 confirmed cases," said Dr. Cynthia Price of Hartford Hospital.

But hundreds more unconfirmed cases at Hartford Hospital. As a matter of fact, the flu has hit so hard, so fast, so early they don't have time to test all of the patients.

Statewide the health department is reporting nearly 1,700 cases so far this year alone. Last year at this time there were only 30 cases reported and it isn't going to get better any time soon.

"The future holds more flu for right now. The flu hasn't even peaked yet. We are about a month earlier than what we normally see so more flu to come. Do your best to stay healthy and well," said Dr. Price.

News 8 was in another building across the street from the emergency room called the Cardiac Rehab and Fitness Center, where they are actually treating patients for the flu. The building was set up as a secondary ER with additional staff because of the numbers of flu patients coming through.

"Right now at our peek we have had 822 beds filled which is a record. We are also having to make some adjustments and have surge capacity to make sure we have enough beds for people who really can't get home to get better but have to stay here," said Rebecca Stewart of Hartford Hospital.

The flu is also taking it's toll on the hospital and staff which is already stretched thin. More doctors and nurses have been called in to cover any sick outs so doctors have some advice on how you can stay flu free.

"At this point in the game it's cold outside so people are going inside to movies, inside the mall so if you are feeling ill at all, stay home. Don't go to the mall, don't go to the library, don't go to the movies and wash, wash, wash, wash, wash," said Dr. Price.

Doctors wanted to point out that the flu is hardest on the very young and the very old so if you fall into the category, don't wait to see a doctor if you start to feel flu like symptoms.