Minnesota flu season saw the single largest week of flu hospitalizations since 2008-09

Influenza B cases are on the rise

Influenza B cases are on the rise in Minnesota. FOX 9's Rob Olson has more. 

(FOX 9) - This season's flu numbers in Minnesota showed the largest single week of hospitalizations since the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began tracking cases back in 2008-2009, but there were fewer deaths compared to the season before.

Minnesota flu deaths and hospitalizations 

By the numbers:

This was the third-worst year on record for flu hospitalizations with 5,504 patients, according to MDH, which first began tracking cases in 2008-2009. 

MDH says Minnesota saw 964 flu hospitalizations in a week during the peak of this year's flu season. 

Below are the recorded flu deaths per season, according to MDH:

• 2021-22: 71
• 2022-23: 225
• 2023-24: 265
• 2024-25: 572
• 2025-26: 217

MDH also shared data on the total number of hospitalizations for the season and the highest number of hospitalizations per week throughout the season:

Data shared by the Minnesota Department of Health shows flu hospitalizations since 2008. (Supplied)

There were also 274 school outbreaks, 119 long-term care outbreaks, 214 adult influenza-related deaths and three pediatric influenza-associated deaths.

MDH adds the most common strain was Influenza A (H3N2). 

Dig deeper:

More data from the Minnesota Department of Health can be viewed here.