Minnesota Flu Hospitalizations & School Outbreaks Decline
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The number of people hospitalized with influenza in Minnesota has declined for a second straight week.
The weekly flu update from the Minnesota Department of Heath shows there were 264 flu-related hospitalizations statewide during the week that ended on December 17. That's down from the 400 hospitalizations reported the previous week and the over 550 hospitalizations reported in late November and early December.
The health department also reported a drop in outbreaks of influenza-like illness in Minnesota schools. 46 schools reported outbreaks last week compared with 117 the previous week. Data supplied by the state indicates a peak in school outbreaks occurred just before Thanksgiving with nearly 240 outbreaks reported during the week ahead of the holiday.
Meanwhile, influenza outbreaks are still on the rise in Minnesota nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. 19 were reported last week and 58 have been reported since the start of the current flu season.
Deaths due to influenza complications are also climbing. There have been 71 flu-related deaths this season. That's more than the past 2 flu seasons combined, but the death toll is still well below the 197 deaths reported in Minnesota during the 2019-2020 flu season.
