During week 9 influenza activity in Minnesota remained low, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

* No schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness during week 9.
* 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 1549 confirmed novel H1N1 influenza hospitalizations. The total number of novel H1N1 hospitalizations since April 2009 is 1809.
* Since last Wednesday March 3, no influenza associated deaths were confirmed.
* Fifty-eight (58) 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-five (65) have been reported since May 2009.
* The most common strain of influenza characterized at the MDH PHL has been 2009 influenza A H1N1.