St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - State health officials have confirmed another flu-related death in Minnesota, but overall influenza activity last week was fairly steady statewide.

The weekly report on flu activity from the Minnesota Department of Health continues to rate the activity as widespread. There were 117 flu-related hospitalizations reported to the department, which was only slightly above the total from the previous week but pushed the season total above 500. The death blamed on influenza was the 8th of the season.

The report noted there were no outbreaks report schools due to the holiday break after 173 school outbreaks were reported the previous week. So far this season, 22 schools Olmsted County have reported probable flu outbreaks.

There were also no outbreaks reported by long-term care facilities, where health experts have said activity could rise later in the season when the A-strain of influenza becomes more prevalent. That is among the reasons the Department of Health is stressing that it’s not too late to get a flu shot.

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