Hospitals in the Des Moines metro have seen a spike in influenza cases that's matching skyrocketing flu activity across the country and is limiting who can be admitted. Local health officials are asking people to avoid emergency rooms when possible to keep them available for critical cases. It's part of a flu surge that's spiking earlier and faster than in recent years. UnityPoint Health spokesperson Mark Tauscheck said flu cases, other increased emergency room visits and more surgery cases means the hospital will postpone elective surgeries and procedures that require overnight admission from Thursday, Jan. 8 through Tuesday, Jan. 13. The hospital will reschedule elective procedures "as soon as it is safe and feasible," according to the statement. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoines #Iowa #DSMUSA #flu #influenza