Six more H1N1 deaths reported in Minnesota

During week 44 influenza activity in Minnesota decreased slightly but remains elevated, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

* Forty (40) schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness during week 44. One hundred thirty-seven (137) schools reported outbreaks in week 43.
* No outbreaks due to influenza were reported from long-term care facilities (defined as skilled nursing facilities) this week.
* Influenza-like illness visits to outpatient clinics involved in our Sentinel Provider Network decreased this week.
* Since September 1, there have been 1,261 confirmed novel H1N1 influenza hospitalizations and 1,521 total novel H1N1 hospitalizations since the virus was first identified in Minnesota.
* Six (6) influenza A H1N1-associated deaths and one (1) influenza-type unspecified death were confirmed in week 44. Twenty-one (21) influenza A H1N1-associated deaths and two (2) influenza-type unspecified deaths have been reported since the virus was first identified in Minnesota.
* The most common strain of influenza characterized at the MDH PHL has been 2009 influenza A H1N1.