Excess death rate of between 30 to less than 150 per 100,000 people.

 Illness rate of between 20 percent and 40 percent.

 Similar to the 1957 flu pandemic.

State health officials have released an online set of guidelines for employers who are trying to determine how best to deal with the outbreak. Details may be found online at health.utah.gov/epi/h1n1flu/Q&As_Employer_061609_Final.pdf.

To avoid contracting or spreading the virus, officials are asking residents to cough or sneeze into a tissue and then dispose of it; wash hands with soap and water often or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth; and avoid close contact with sick people.

E-MAIL: carrie@desnews.com