Second Minnesota flu death recorded

by Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota has recorded its second death from influenza this season. The victim was a woman in her 90s with underlying risk factors that made her susceptible to flu complications.

The Minnesota Department of Health says 123 people were hospitalized last week for laboratory-confirmed flu compared to 65 the previous week.

Two nursing homes and 51 schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness.

The flu season is off to an early start this year, but health officials say the current vaccine should protect most people.