Influenza Hospitalizations Drop Significantly in Central Minnesota, Risk Levels Lower

(KNSI) – Hospitalizations due to influenza are dropping in central Minnesota.

The latest figures released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health shows eight Stearns County residents are being treated in the hospital compared to 30 last week. The improvement extended into Benton County, where it dropped from 17 to five patients, and Sherburne County, where hospitalizations shrank from 17 to 11. Morrison County fell from seven to six, and Wright County plummeted from 20 to 11 patients.

MDH says Stearns and Wright County have gone from being at ‘high risk’ for the seasonal flu virus to a ‘moderate risk’ with five to eight people per 100,000 needing medical care. Anything above eight per 100,000 people is considered high risk. The state average is 11 per 100,000, down from 18 per 100,000 last week.

Health officials recommend avoiding contact with sick people, washing hands frequently, using an air purifier to improve indoor air circulation and quality, and routinely disinfecting high-touch surfaces to curb the spread of germs.

Earlier this year, Minnesota was experiencing the worst flu outbreak in years, with cases double what they were compared to this time in 2023. Records show 2024 was a mild year for flu.

Check out the data for yourself by clicking here.

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