by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

The Minnesota Department Health (MDH) today (Tuesday, Nov. 24) released its weekly H1N1 statistics for the past week showing 10 schools in Minnesota reporting outbreaks of flu-like illnesses — one school more than the week before.

MDH officials last week said the decline seen in the number of flu-like outbreaks in schools could mean the second wave of H1N1 was about over.

But they also stressed that no one could tell if and when a third wave would occur and encouraged Minnesotans to continue to take flu precautions such as being vaccinated, frequent hand washings, staying home if sick.

Since last Wednesday, Nov. 18, six H1N1-associated deaths and one influenza-type unspecified death were confirmed in Minnesota, according to MDH.

All told, 32 H1N1-associated deaths and three influenza-type unspecified deaths have been reported since the virus was first identified in the state, according to MDH.