Officials: Flu Season Has Peaked in Minnesota

Kris Ehresmann, the state Health Department's infectious disease director, said Thursday the illness has peaked in Minnesota.

The number of flu-related hospitalizations and outbreaks dropped for the third week in a row.

Minnesota reported 135 hospitalizations last week, compared with 628 just three weeks before. Schools reported 36 outbreaks, compared with 112 the previous week.

Flu deaths, however, were up. The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed 36 deaths in the week that ended Jan. 26, but Ehresmann says some of those occurred earlier.

Minnesota has seen 112 total deaths during this flu season, and 2,367 hospitalizations.