Editor's note: Due to a production error, the print version of this story was incomplete in Sunday's edition of The Tribune.
Park City » May is the slow month in Utah's premier ski town and when it turns cool and rainy, it's even slower. Add to that a bad economy and a confirmed case of the new H1N1 swine flu and what do you have?
Business as usual, almost.
Schools will be shuttered for another week, but as denizens gather at cafes, bars and movies, it's difficult to tell if Park City's mud month is any slower with Summit County as ground zero of the state's flu scare.
Health officials Saturday said a child in either elementary or middle school who traveled to Mexico for spring break contracted the new flu virus. That child is now "fully recovered," said Summit County Health Department Director Steve Jenkins, but the number of probable cases in the county has grown to six, and more residents are waiting for test results.
Officials say the six -- which includes one adult -- had either been to Mexico or been in contact with someone who went there.
Utah's first confirmed case of the new flu could be "just the tip of the iceberg," according to David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, but he urged calm because the virus seems to be no more harsh than seasonal flu.
The sick Summit County children who likely have swine flu are doing well, and now their families are starting to get sick, according to a pediatrician.
Summit Pediatrics has cared for the confirmed patient and at least two of the probable cases. Pediatrician Monica Schaffer said a sibling and the mother of the three are feeling ill and likely have the flu. "They're all just keeping all their germs to themselves," she said.
She hopes news that at least one case is confirmed won't panic the public -- but will make people more cautious about gathering in groups with schools closed. Schools and all extracurricular activities, along with city youth recreation and library programs, will be closed until at least May 10.
"People aren't getting the point of the school closure," which is to slow the dispersal of the flu, Schaffer said, noting that you can be sick and shedding the virus for 48 hours before you have symptoms. "I hope people don't take the opportunity to go have play dates and gather in public places."
During school closures, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said students should not gather in "large numbers." It says studies suggest groups of five or fewer children may be safe when childcare is necessary.
But that hasn't stopped people from gathering. Or youngsters from playing soccer, volleyball and Frisbee at parks. And having sleep-overs. One patient became sick after a sleep-over and then passed the illness to a friend, Schaffer said.
Park City residents Scott and Jamie Dooley didn't think there was much to worry about Saturday when they took their 7-month-old daughter, Elizabeth, to El Chabasco, a popular Mexican restaurant that seemed to be doing brisk business Saturday.
"I'm glad they're taking it seriously," Scott said of efforts by Park City area health and school officials. "But we aren't too worried."
Mark Machlis, 54, and his son, Ben Machlis, 28, drove up from Salt Lake City for lunch at the eatery.
"It's the flu. Big deal," Mark said. "But there is an upside: People are now washing their hands more."
Added Ben: "It's completely overblown."
The flu didn't stop Debbie Sexton from taking her son, 9, and her daughter, 4, to the Saturday matinee movie.
"We stayed in all day Thursday and Friday. And today [Saturday] the weather is poor," she said. "You have to be smart, but there's no need to be paranoid."
Mayor Dana Williams said business is not off at Park City restaurants that he is familiar with, considering it's the month after ski season when visitors and residents leave town.
But at least one restaurant owner said the flu scare is hurting business. Steve McComb, who owns and operates three Park City eateries, complained that his Bistro 412 on Main Street saw only four customers Friday night.
"It's a slow time, anyway," he said. "And when you get a little slower, it's a lot slower."
He conceded, however, that his Baja Cantina served 120 dinners the same evening.
» One confirmed case in Summit County.
» Six probable cases in Summit County.
» Two probable cases in Salt Lake County.
» One probable case in the Weber-Morgan health district.
More H1N1 swine flu cases could be confirmed as early as today. Confirmation should come quicker with Utah receiving 500 test kits so it won't have to send specimens to Atlanta, where the CDC has 2,900 samples awaiting testing. It will take a couple of days before Utah can start relying on the kits while officials confirm they are using them correctly.
Source: Utah Department of Health
A celebration of the anniversary of Israel's independence, scheduled for Sunday in Park City, has been postponed to prevent the spread of the H1N1 swine flu, organizers said.
The marking of Yom Ha'atzmaut had been planned for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Temple Har Shalom, at 3700 N. Brookside Court in Park City. A new date will be announced later.
Park City services for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and St. Luke's Episcopal Church this weekend also have been canceled.
All schools in Park City District are closed through at least May 10. School officials have not determined when schools will reopen.
Officials ask parents to watch district and school Web sites for information and to sign up for the district's text messaging system. The information hot line for Park City schools and western Summit County health department services: 435-615-5989.
