H1N1 virus claims 2 more Utahns

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department has confirmed that two Salt Lake County residents have died as a result of swine flu, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to four.

Pamela Davenport, a spokeswoman for the health department, said both victims had received treatment in hospitals prior to their deaths, but one had underlying health concerns that may have accelerated the flu. Davenport did not have details regarding the second person's prior health status. Both victims were between the ages of 25 and 50.

KSL has reported family members confirmed Francine Rushton, 47, was one of the victims.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States there are 17,855 confirmed cases and 45 deaths from H1N1. There have been 688 confirmed cases of the flu in Utah. On Thursday the Utah Department of Health reported that 90 persons had been hospitalized as a result of the flu.

— Clayton Norlen