The H1N1 influenza virus has arrived in this part of the Valley.

A Rockingham Memorial Hospital spokeswoman confirms that a patient there has tested positive for the virus. A state lab confirmed the test results on Tuesday.

Deborah Thompson says the patient is in good condition and is now recovering at home.

State health officials say H1N1 is not much worse than a normal flu. However, RMH officials say the patient was sick enough to be hospitalized, with a possible high fever and a hard time breathing deeply.

"So far this virus has been mild," says Dr. Doug Larsen with the Central Shenandoah Health District. "Yes, it has killed people, but almost all those who have died from this virus were susceptible to complications from medical diseases."

Larsen says the spread of H1N1 is slowing down in the United States. However, Rockingham Memorial Hospital is seeing more patients with flu-like symptoms than normal for this time of year.

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Addison Parris says, "This is not a time to fall asleep at the wheel. We continue to screen our patients who come into the hospital and into the off-site clinic because, when Fall rolls around, I imagine the amount of visits coming into our emergency department may increase."

Patients with influenza A are also tested for H1N1. There are now 191 confirmed cases of the H1N1 in Virginia.