MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Influenza outbreaks are forcing Minnesota schools and hospitals to make changes to protect students and visitors.

Nearly half of the wrestlers on Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial-Nicollet’s team are sick, so the team called off Tuesday night’s match against St. Peter.

Coaches sanitized the wrestling room at the secondary school in Lake Crystal, and canceled practice for the next few days.

At several hospitals, visitors are being limited. At Winona Health hospital and clinics, officials are now asking people with appointments to wear masks if they’re coughing and sneezing.

The Mayo Clinic plans to announce restrictions at its hospitals Wednesday.

Nearly 600 Minnesotans have already had to stay in the hospital this winter because of the flu. Some, like 14-year-old Carly Christenson, have died due to complications of the flu.

Handwashing and getting vaccinated are your family’s best protection against getting sick.

To Find a flu clinic in your neighborhood, go to the Health Department’s website.