Minnesota schools hit with rampant Flu outbreaks

(St. Paul, MN) -- Minnesota schools are being hit with rampant flu outbreaks.

The Minnesota Department of Health's latest report showed nearly 100 flu outbreaks last week.

An outbreak is determined if either five-percent of the total enrollment or three or more students from the same classroom are out with the flu.

Minnesota hospitals are also feeling the stress as COVID-19 cases and early flu season pressure capacity limits. The state's weekly pandemic update released Thursday says hospitals have neared peak capacity on four separate days this month.

Hospitals are seeing about 475 COVID-19 patients a day so far this month. Early surges in pediatric and adult RSV and flu cases are also impacting treatment numbers.

There have been almost 325 flu outbreaks in Minnesota so far in 2022.