ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An infectious disease specialist with the Minnesota Department of Health says an increasing number of schools across the state are reporting flu-like illnesses.

Karen Martin said Wednesday 47 schools have reported flu-like outbreaks so far this week. She says that’s up from 12 last week and four the week before that.

In St. Cloud, a Catholic school has canceled classes for Thursday and Friday due to a large number of students being out sick.

The St. Cloud Times reports the decision by St. Katharine Drexel administrators after 52 students missed school Tuesday. Their letter to parents said many of the children had flu.

Principal Erin Hatlestad says the number of students out sick was unprecedented.

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