No H1N1 deaths this week

During week 2 influenza activity in Minnesota remained low, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

* No schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness during week 2. One school reported an outbreak in week 1.
* 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 remained low this week.
* Since September 1st, 2009, there have been 1,551 confirmed novel H1N1 influenza hospitalizations. The total number of novel H1N1 hospitalizations since April 2009 is 1,811.
* Since last Wednesday, Jan. 13, no influenza associated deaths were confirmed. Fifty-five (55) influenza A H1N1-associated deaths, three (3) influenza-type unspecified deaths, three (3) influenza syndrome-no influenza testing done deaths, and one (1) influenza B-associated death for a total of sixty-two (62) have been reported since May 2009.
* The most common strain of influenza characterized at the MDH PHL has been 2009 influenza A H1N1.