H1N1 Flu

Minnesota reports 6 more H1N1 deaths

by Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Six more people have died from confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. That brings the total number of deaths associated with the flu to 56 since May. The Minnesota Department of Health says five of those deaths were not confirmed H1N1 cases, but they are believed to be caused by the H1N1 virus. One death was attributed to a seasonal strain of flu.

During the past week, the number of flu-like illnesses remained stable. The Minnesota Department of Health says two schools reported outbreaks.

There was a slight uptick in flu-like illness visits at outpatient clinics in the state's Sentinel Provider Network. But hospitalizations for flu decreased.

Wednesday is also the first day that the H1N1 flu vaccine was made widely available to all Minnesotans, not just people in high-priority groups.