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Thursday, February 6, 2020

Flu Situation Across North Carolina, Feb. 6, 1920

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., February 6, 1920

Flu Situation in North Carolina. . . State Board of Health Receives Requests for Liquor, But There Is None to Be Had. . . Reduction in Pneumonia. . . Wanted—Nurses

Emergency influenza epidemic calls are being received from across the state and it seems impossible to locate the graduate nurses and secure their services. I believe it is due to the fact that most of the nurses are on private duty and do not know of the urgent need of their services in localities where volunteer workers are available but no trained workers to direct their efforts and that by giving publicity that our nurses would be ready with the spirit of 1917-18 to meet the emergency. May we ask that any graduate nurse willing to give up private duty for community work and respond for emergency work throughout the state report to the State Board of Health.
--Rose M. Ehrenfeld, R.N., Director, Bureau of Public Health Nursing and Infant Hygiene, State Board of Health.

Raleigh, Feb. 6—A virtual standstill in the spread of influenza and a material reduction in the number of new cases of pneumonia, is indicated in the totals furnished the State Board of Health yesterday. From 38 of the 100 counties in the State, 2,507 cases of influenza were reported, and from nine counties, there were 35 new cases of pneumonia with 12 deaths. No one in the department cared to venture an estimate of the approximate correctness of the reports.

Health authorities were somewhat encouraged at the small increase in influenza, and the material reduction in pneumonia. It is hoped by them that the epidemic has reached its peak, and that from now on there will be a turn to a lower daily level of new cases developed. The comparative lightness of the attack is indicated in the very small number of deaths, all of which are required by law to be reported.

Greensboro and Wilson were added to the list of those places that have closed schools, churches, moving pictures and all places of gathering together. Health authorities are doubtful of the efficacy of these measures to curb the spread of the epidemic, but believe that it may retard the spread, preventing a breakdown in relief measures. If this result is achieved it will lessen the strain on the medical and nursing strength of the state, although it is admitted that it will prolong the epidemic.
The report by counties and cities yesterday was as follows:

Bertie, 145
Cabarrus, 157
Caldwell, 37
Chatham, 26
Cherokee, 23
Cleveland, 4
Davidson, 260
Durham, 57
Edgecombe, 238
Forsyth, 52
Franklin, 1
Gaston, 6
Granville, 36
Guilford, 90
Halifax, 5
Hertford, 50
Lee, 25
Madison, 26
Montgomery, 15
Moore, 35
New Hanover, 1
Pitt, 49
Richmond, 63
Robeson, 30
Rockingham, 11
Rowan, 54
Sampson, 5
Scotland, 60
Stanley, 30
Stokes, 4
Surry, 8
Swain, 1
Transylvania, 12
Warren, 100
Wayne, 6
Yancey, 26
Winston-Salem, 337
Greensboro, 45
High Point, 141
Wilmington, 8
Goldsboro, 8

Total, 2,507

Pneumonia was reported from the following places:
Ahoskie, 1
Tarboro, 5
Burnsville, 1
Carthage, 2
Greenville, 5
Goldsboro, 1
Laurinburg, 5
Lexington, 2
Winston-Salem, 12
New Hanover, 1

Total, 35

Statesville Closes Up

Statesville, Feb. 5—During the past few days the influenza situation here has grown more serious and the city aldermen decided in session yesterday to close up all schools, churches, picture shows, and places of public gathering for the present. Since the first case was reported several days ago, the number of new cases of influenza have been rapidly increasing. And the town authorities thought it wise to take the precaution of closing up all places of public gathering, and amusement until the situation improves. So far there are no serious cases reported from the flu and only one case of pneumonia.

Continued Drop in Asheville

Asheville, Feb. 6—The number of new influenza cases continued to drop today, with only 78 reported by the city. Health officials are alarmed at the repot today of 11 new pneumonia cases and two deaths. This is bearing out the statement of the city health officer that this week would probably be the pneumonia and death week. Two pneumonia cases have developed at the emergency hospital, which still has 14 patients. It was stated that several of the more serious cases could not be removed to the hospital owning to the condition of the patients. Asheville will remain strictly closed down, the health officers state, until the epidemic is believed to thoroughly under control.

Two Deaths at Roanoke

Roanoke, Va., Feb. 6—Two more deaths reported to the health department here today brought the number of dead from the influenza epidemic in Roanoke to 16. The total number of patients tonight are 2,042 and additional 213 have been reported today. Sixty-five cases of pneumonia are on record. Deaths from influenza and pneumonia since January 22 are 25.

Pneumonia Causes Death

Rocky Mount, Feb. 6—Little Richard James, aged 5 years, 6 months, 3 days, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. James, died February 3 at the home, 322 Chester street, following a brief attack of pneumonia.

May be 150,000 Cases

Estimates of the total number of people in the state that actually have or are recuperating from influenza are placed at from 100,000 to 150,000 since the epidemic began three weeks ago. So far there have been not more than 100 deaths reported that are directly attributable to influenza or complications of the disease. It is freely admitted that only a part of the actual number of cases are reported here.

Distress calls for liquor to be used in treating influenza began to flow into the department yesterday, some of them requests, some demands of more or less imperative nature. The department has no liquor to dispense for the treatment of disease and applicants are advised that the only way in which it can be secured is through the family physician. Family physicians seem to be about as helpless as anybody else about getting supplies of the element.

Reports of “Flu” Cases Today

The Health Department has received reports from three physicians today as follows: New influenza cases, 41; new pneumonia cases, 3.

Operators Have the Flu

Seven of the telephone operators here have the influenza. Use your telephone as sparingly as possible. By doing so you will help maintain service.

Stantonsburg Closes to Stop the “Flu”

Mayor C.D. West of Stantonsburg was in the city today, and informs us that while they have only a few cases of influenza in that section they have closed the schools and churches as a precautionary measure and hope to prevent its spread in that section.

Why Not Close Pool Rooms

A prominent citizen asked the question “if the churches and the schools are closed, and he thought they should be and should have been closed as soon as the flu appeared as a precautionary measure, “why not close the pool rooms too,” he said.

No Service at Five Points

By direction of the Board of Health closing all public places, on account of influenza, there will be no services at Five Points Church on Sunday.

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