Influenza starting early in Minnesota this year

[KARE11 News, November 03, 2022] Minnesota is starting to see an uptick in flu cases, according to new data from the state department of health.

The Weekly Influenza and Respiratory Illness Report for the week ending on Oct. 29, 2022 shows flu hospitalizations nearly tripled from the week before. In the most recent report, there were 72 flu hospitalizations reported so far this season.

"We're 6 to 8 weeks ahead of the usual start of the season," said Dr. Frank Rahme, an infectious disease doctor with Allina Health.