MDH: 15 More Dead From Flu, 75 So Far This Season

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Health reports that 15 more people in Minnesota have died as a result of the influenza virus in the last 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 75.

There were 33 deaths reported last week, and 23 deaths were reported prior to that period.

The latest figures showed that there were 208 hospitalizations for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms in the past week, bringing this season's total up to 2,128 in Minnesota.

At least 112 schools reported outbreaks involving flu-like symptoms during the last week, as well as 9 long-term care facilities or nursing homes.

Health Department spokesman Doug Schultz says it will be another week before officials know if the flu season has peaked in Minnesota, But he says the trend is slowing down.

There was an uptick last week in the number of Minnesota schools reporting outbreaks of influenza-like illness. But Schultz says that may be because of students returning to school.

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