Red Flag Warning
until MON 9:00 PM CDT, Pennington County, North Beltrami County, South Beltrami County, Norman County, West Otter Tail County, Red Lake County, Lake Of The Woods County, East Marshall County, West Polk County, Hubbard County, Roseau County, Mahnomen County, East Otter Tail County, North Clearwater County, East Polk County, South Clearwater County, West Becker County, Grant County, East Becker County, Wadena County, Kittson County, Wilkin County, Clay County, West Marshall County, Swift County, Watonwan County, Stearns County, Pope County, Hennepin County, Kanabec County, Freeborn County, Redwood County, Kandiyohi County, Sibley County, Benton County, Morrison County, Washington County, Mille Lacs County, Renville County, Sherburne County, Lac Qui Parle County, Isanti County, Waseca County, Chisago County, Goodhue County, Douglas County, Martin County, Brown County, Steele County, Nicollet County, Ramsey County, Scott County, Blue Earth County, McLeod County, Yellow Medicine County, Stevens County, Anoka County, Wright County, Faribault County, Rice County, Dakota County, Meeker County, Todd County, Le Sueur County, Northern Aitkin County, South Itasca County, Pine County, South Cass County, Koochiching County, Carlton/South St. Louis Counties, Central St. Louis County, North St. Louis County, Crow Wing County, North Itasca County, North Cass County, Northern Cook/Northern Lake Counties, South Aitkin County, Traverse County, Big Stone County, Lyon County, Lincoln County, Cottonwood County, Rock County, Murray County, Pipestone County, Jackson County, Nobles County, Dunn County, Barron County, Pierce County, Polk County, Douglas County, Washburn County, Burnett County
4

COVID-19 precautions keep flu cases historically low in Minnesota

While the world's focus is on COVID-19, those at Hennepin Healthcare’s urgent care in Minneapolis are still testing for the virus that usually dominates these winter months.

"It’s the same swab that we use for the COVID-19 test that we use for influenza, so it's very easy for us to test for both," explained Hennepin Healthcare Urgent Care nurse Lisa Gallick.

But not many tests are coming back positive. The flu, usually peaking around this time, is practically non-existent this year.

"By trying to slow the spread of COVID, you are slowing the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases," explained Karen Martin, senior epidemiologist for the state of Minnesota. 

Last year, there were more than 4,000 people hospitalized with the flu in Minnesota and around 2,500 the year before that. However, this year there have been only 32 to date.

"I'm looking at the data report that just came out a couple of hours ago and the percent of molecular laboratory tests that are positive for influenza is zero percent," said Martin. "I have never seen anything like this."

Martin says all the safeguards in place for COVID-19 play a major role. But so does the fact that kids haven’t spent much time in school, as children are considered the primary vector of transmission.

But, epidemiologists say with restrictions loosening and people starting to gather again, cases could pick up again. This is why they say the flu shot is still important.

HealthCoronavirus in MinnesotaHennepin Healthcare