Flu hitting Northern Minnesotans amid high rates across nation

BEMIDJI — Respiratory illnesses are on a dramatic climb across the United States and Northern Minnesota is no exception.

The virus sending the most people to the hospital is influenza A.

A weekly snapshot from the Minnesota Department of Health shows the flu has hit the state particularly hard, with a steep increase in cases requiring hospitalization since late November.

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Minnesota Department of Health

Dr. Daniel Hoody is the vice president medical officer and a hospitalist at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. Hoody explained that the local numbers are on track with high flu rates across the nation.

“We continue to see high or very high flu activity — that's evidenced by our test positivity rate, which has remained above 40 for several weeks now," he said. “So that indicates we are in the thick of a particularly severe flu season.”

Across the nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported high flu rates in 32 different states, doubling in recent weeks.

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Sanford Health

Hoody says those most at risk for hospitalization from flu complications are infants and the elderly.

Sanford Health-Bemidji implemented visitor restrictions on Dec. 21 in response to the rise in respiratory illnesses, with masks required for all visitors to the intensive care units, special care nursery and the Joe Lueken Cancer Center.

Hoody said washing hands, staying home when sick and getting immunized are some of the ways to combat flu and other respiratory illnesses.

"I would just drive home the point that what we choose to do or not do really impacts all of our neighbors in the community," he said. “And unlike other diseases and medical conditions, flu prevention efforts such as vaccination, washing hands, wearing a mask, staying home when you're sick — those really are a gift that you give to the community.”

Fellow regional healthcare system Essentia Health is encouraging people to choose the level of care that best matches their symptoms, to avoid bottlenecks in emergency departments.

Research shows as many as one-third of emergency visits are for conditions that aren’t emergencies.

Check with your provider for options for video on demand, e-visits, primary care and urgent care visits.