Community Corner

Flu Rates Skyrocket Across Minnesota; More People Hospitalized

Recent influenza reports have drastically increased since reports last month.

The flu season has been brutal so far, with many reported cases involving severe illnesses.

Since the start of the influenza season, 578 people have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Health reports for the 2012-2013 season. This is up from 30 people who were reportedly hospitalized this flu season in a report from last month. 

In addition, four influenza-related deaths have been confirmed this season.

Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Area school districts, including Orono, Westonka, Wayzata and Minnetonka have all reported spikes in absenteeism due to the flu.

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in the Lake Minnetonka area that offer the vaccine (e-mail Jay.Corn@patch.com if we missed one):

Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Coborn's
  • Walgreens
  • Wayzata Children's Clinic
  • Ridgeview Excelsior Clinic

This time last year, flu cases were lower in Minnesota than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Lake Minnetonka-specific data is not available on Flu Trends, but flu cases in the Twin Cities metro are in line with the state as a whole.)

Overall in Minnesota, activity is categorized as "high," while it was categorized as "low" at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends.


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