ANDERSON — The H1N1 flu vaccines have arrived in Madison County, and area hospitals are making sure they’re ready in case the flu virus spreads.

Since the start of the fall season, hospital emergency rooms have seen significant increases in patients with the H1N1 flu.

Randy Titus of Saint John’s Health System said the emergency room has seen a 30 to 40 percent spike in patient visits due to the H1N1 flu.

The hospital has even brought in additional staff to address the rising number of sick patients.

At Community Hospital, the emergency room has seen a 30 percent increase in patients caused by the H1N1 flu virus, according to spokeswoman Brandy Hill.

October saw a record number of patients for the emergency room, she said.

Titus said Saint John’s has already established an additional site as an overflow facility in case demand increases further.

Hill said Community is also preparing for the worst of the epidemic. “We do have a plan for adding additional beds if necessary, but we haven’t needed to implement it.”

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com.