Epidemic At Worst, Yesterday's Report

• Mortuaries are full and undertakers are overworked. There are not enough available graves in Portland cemeteries to accommodate all of the recent dead due to the influenza epidemic. Undertakers advise health authorities that the situation is becoming serious and that stricter measures may need to be enacted soon. • Yesterday was the worst day of the epidemic so far. The death total broke records. • “No effort is being made to minimize the seriousness of the situation and health officials fear that Portland may face still worse conditions unless the people completely accede to the spirit of the closing.”• The names, occupations, and ages of the recently deceased are reported, along with their date of death. There are 22 names in total. • The conditions at the Auditorium emergency hospital are reported to be improving. The deaths that occurred on Saturday and Sunday nights are attributed to the severity of the cases before they reached the hospital. No deaths occurred yesterday. Dozens of cases have been discharged as cured. There are less than 160 patients at the hospital. There is a “sufficient” number of nurses and doctors to care for all patients. Vancouver Army health officials and Miss Loveridge, of Good Samaritan Hospital, praised the emergency hospital. • The circulation room of the public library opened yesterday. Attendants wore masks. No crowds were allowed and those queuing for books had to stand five feet apart. • In a telegram Surgeon-General Blue recommended that all hospital staff in contact with influenza patients wear masks. Blue’s telegram was in response to inquiries regarding the usefulness of masks in fighting the epidemic. • Conditions in the state outside of Portland are improving, according to Dr. Seeley, of the state health bureau.Newspaper article