Minnesota flu season peaks, more deaths reported

The worst of the flu in Minnesota has come and passed, Health Department officials said Thursday.

The reported number of flu outbreaks and hospitalizations has been declining in the passed three weeks, said Kris Ehresmann, director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the Health Department.

A total of 135 hospitalizations in the week that ended Jan. 26 were recorded, as opposed to 628 hospitalizations just three weeks before, MPR reported.

Although the total number of those infected has declined, death tolls have increased from 15 deaths two weeks ago to 36 deaths in the week ending Jan. 26, according to the Pioneer Press.

Health officials say influenza has peaked, though. "Influenza activity appears to have peaked in Minnesota, but it continues at a relatively high level and is still widespread," the health department said in the Pioneer Press.