Recent data shows respiratory illnesses hitting Minnesota schools hard after the holiday break, with 94 schools reporting outbreaks due to influenza, COVID-19, and other seasonal infections. The flu wave has peaked, and hospitals are struggling to manage the surge in cases since Christmas. Influenza-related hospitalizations have dropped but remain high compared to previous flu seasons.
North Memorial Health reported a significant wait time at its emergency department last week, dropping from 10 hours to five hours. Meanwhile, Minnesota also saw 13 respiratory infections in long-term care facilities and three cases linked to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). While RSV typically affects children, it has been particularly severe among adults this winter, contributing to hospital overcrowding alongside an increase in gastrointestinal issues from norovirus.
Since Christmas, Minnesota has reported 40 to 60 new COVID-19 hospitalizations daily, though declining wastewater sampling suggests these numbers may soon fall. No influenza deaths have been reported so far this season, despite the recent school outbreak surge. State records indicate 79 flu-related deaths with an average age of 80.
The most Read section highlights Jeremy Olson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for *The Star Tribune*, who covers health care in Minnesota.
Read more about the latest public health developments in Minnesota and across the U.S.
Source: https://www.startribune.com/influenza-wave-hits-schools-after-holidays/601210049