St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The flu season remains in full force across Minnesota.

For a fifth straight week, the Minnesota Department of Health is rating the activity as widespread and today reported another 9 flu-related deaths in the state. There have now been 25 deaths due to flu-related complications since the start of the flu season. There were almost 100 flu deaths during the previous flu season and the total for the season before that was above 400.

The department's weekly report on influenza activity shows the number of hospitalizations for flu-related health issues this season is approaching 1000. A preliminary tally found there were at least 149 flu-related hospitalizations during the week that ended on January 11th.

After a respite caused by the holiday break, the number of flu outbreaks in Minnesota schools is on the rise, again. There were 27 reports of outbreaks the previous week, while there were only 9 reports the week students returned to class after the New Year's Holiday.

The Department of Health also received 7 reports of flu outbreaks in nursing homes and other long term care centers. That was just one above the total reported last week.

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