Minn. records 15 more flu-related deaths

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Flu activity may be slowing down in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 15 more flu-related deaths. That raises Minnesota's death toll this season to 75.

But the number of confirmed flu-related deaths was down last week compared with the previous week, when 33 deaths were confirmed.

The number of hospitalizations due to flu also was down last week — 208, compared with 476 the week before.

Health Department spokesman Doug Schultz says it will be another week before officials know if the flu season has peaked in Minnesota, But he says the trend is slowing down.

There was an uptick last week in the number of Minnesota schools reporting outbreaks of influenza-like illness. But Schultz says that may be because of students returning to school.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.