State confirms Winona County H1N1 death
Minnesota Department of Health officials report three more deaths from H1N1, including one in Winona County, and another death from a flu–like illness that wasn't confirmed as H1N1. Health Department officials say all three confirmed victims had underlying health conditions. The latest victims include a Winona County resident in their 70s, a Fillmore County resident in their 20s, and a Hennepin County resident in their 50s. The fourth death was an "older adult" who died of the flu, but there wasn't a sample available to test and confirm what type of flu. Also, state health officials say they are making plans to vaccinate young children in schools throughout the state in a few weeks, but only if they get enough vaccine and with parents' consent. Health officials say 15 people have died from H1N1 since April. The Health Department's weekly statistics show 137 Minnesota schools reported outbreaks of influenza–like illness, less than half the 288 schools reporting outbreaks the week before. Two skilled nursing facilities also reported outbreaks. Visits to outpatient clinics for influenza–like illness were down.
