MDH: 33 More Flu Deaths In Minnesota This Week

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Health said that there were 33 more deaths related to the influenza virus in Minnesota this past week.

According to the latest numbers released by the health department, that brings the total number of flu-related deaths in the state this season to 60.

In point of comparison, the health department's data shows that Minnesota recorded 67 flu-related deaths during the 2009-2010 season, 70 deaths during the 2010-2011 season, and 33 deaths during the 2011-2012 season.

There were 23 deaths reported last week, and four deaths were reported prior to that period. When the health department reported last week's numbers, they noted that most of the state's deaths and 62 percent of the hospitalizations were among people 65 and older.

In all, the MDH reported 476 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the last week.

"Since the start of the influenza season, 1,842 persons have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza," the health department reported.

At least 92 schools reported outbreaks involving flu-like symptoms during the last week.