Forty-seven states, including Illinois, have reported widespread flu activity. Some hospitals are so full of flu patients that ambulances are being turned away. Edward Hospital officials say this is the worst flu season in three years.
Nationally, the number of flu cases is going down after peaking last month. But, locally, the flu season may not have peaked yet.
Edward had to turn away ambulances for seven hours last Wednesday morning because flu patients had filled the hospital to capacity. The hospital called that a rare occurrence and says things are back to normal.
Recently, other suburban hospitals, including Central Dupage Hospital in Winfield and Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove have also gone temporarily into 'bypass mode" because all their beds were full.
