Flu Fears Send Record Numbers To Emergency Rooms

TAKOMA PARK, Md. (WUSA) -- The emergency room at Washington Adventist Hospital normally sees about 120 patients a day, but since Monday, that number has ballooned to more than 170 daily as flu fears increase.

"There's is a lot of concern in the community," Carlos McCormack, Executive Director of the Emergency Room says.

The hospital is in constant contact with medical facilities across the state, trying to stay ahead of any possible outbreak locally.

"We had a conference call and there are no confirmed cases in the State of Maryland," says McCormack.

But there are four suspected cases at the University of Delaware. Too close for Bethesda grandmother Leslie Danis, buying face masks for her grand kids at Rodman's Discount Drugs in Northwest.

"The number of cases are increasing," she said. "We want to be prepared."

She's not the only one. Rodman's actually had to order more.

While face masks may be in short supply, at moment there seems to be enough flu medication at area hospitals.

"We have enough medication if there is an outbreak," McCormack says.