Flu Season Continues: Reduced-Fee Flu Shots Available in Apple Valley

Dakota County Public Health offers local flu shot clinics in the next couple weeks.

Flu Season Continues: Reduced-Fee Flu Shots Available in Apple Valley

Dakota County Public Health offers local flu shot clinics in the next couple weeks.

  Fighting the flu this late in the season is still a battle, even though fewer cases are being reported, according to the Dakota County Public Health Department. "Flu season isn't over yet," states a department media release. "If there is anyone in your family who needs a flu vaccination, it's not too late to vaccinate." The department is offering flu shot clinics in March — all in Apple Valley — for a reduced fee for eligible children and adults. Check the department's website to see if you are eligible, or call 952-891-7528. Babies who recently turned six months old should especially be vaccinated. Some children under 9-years-old need two doses, according to the department. March Clinics: All clinics will be held at the Dakota County …

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Minnesota Flu Deaths Now Total 127

Minnesota Department of Health's latest numbers indicate worst of outbreak behind us.

  Updated Feb. 8: Minnesota's 2013 flu outbreak is definitely on the wane. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported Thursday afternoon that influenza killed 15 more Minnesotans during the week of Jan. 27-Feb. 2--less than half the number of deaths reported the previous week. So far this season, a total of 127 Minnesotans have died of flu-related illness. According to this report from the Star-Tribune, the vast majority of deaths and hospitalizations have occurred among the elderly. Also, only 108 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the week. Three weeks ago, 476 people were hospitalized. The MDH reported that only one long-term care facility and 19 schools reported outbreaks of influenza during the …

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South Metro News Roundup

Flu Kills 112 Minnesotans; Scouts Ordered to Release More 'Perversion Files'

In other big headlines from around the South Metro region this week, a $10 million mansion goes up for sale in Inver Grove Heights and the Kohl's property in Burnsville is sold.

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top stories of the past week from around the South Metro region. Here's a look at recent stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links:   UPDATED: Flu Deaths in Minnesota Now Total 112 Department of Health says there were an additional 36 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms much lower than previous week. Norovirus Bug On the Rise, New Strain Arrives in Minnesota A new, extremely contagious norovirus strain, detected last year in Australia, is making Minnesotans miserable.   UPDATE: Apple…

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UPDATED: Flu Deaths in Minnesota Now Total 112

Department of Health says there were an additional 36 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms much lower than previous week.

  Updated 6 p.m. Jan. 31: Influenza killed 36 more Minnesotans last week, bringing the total number of state deaths in the current outbreak to 112. But the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) weekly flu update, released this afternoon, also reported that the number of people across the state newly hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza dropped to 135, down from 208 the previous week and a big drop from the 476 hospitalized the week before. A total of 2,367 Minnesotans have have been hospitalized since the current outbreak began. According to a Minneapolis Public Radio report, officials now believe it's safe to say the outbreak is waning. Kris Ehresmann, director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at MDH, said it's unlikely the …

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South Metro News Roundup

Alcohol a Factor in GOP Activist's Car Crash

In other headlines from around the region last week, South Metro school districts are losing students to open enrollment, and Shakopee makes a guest appearance on 'Saturday Night Live.'

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top recent headlines from throughout the South Metro region. Here's a look at last week's stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links.   UPDATE: Death Toll Now at 75, But Flu On The Wane Across Minnesota Department of Health says there were an additional 15 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms has fallen dramatically.   Authorities Identify Apple Valley Woman Killed in Savage Crash Authorities are still investigating an accident that left a 35-year-old south metro woman dead Wednesday …

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South Metro News Roundup

Flu Continues to Ravage Region, Handgun Permit Applications Soar

In other news from around the South Metro, Pardon My French Restaurant unexpectedly closes its doors and Nicholas David returns to Rosemount for an emotional homecoming concert.

    You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top recent stories from throughout the South Metro region. Here's a look at stories that may impact your life or be of interest to you. To read the full story, click on the headline link.   UPDATED: 60 Dead of Flu-related Complications, Almost 2,000 Hospitalized The health department’s second weekly report on the flu outbreak more than doubles the number of reported deaths in the state.   Apple Valley-Rosemount Real Estate Market Booming Median prices are way up over previous year's levels, but Realtors say there's now a new problem: Not enough homes on the market to meet demand. VIDEO: Nicholas David Stages Homecoming Performance at St. Joe's in …

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What's Truth and Fiction in Influenza Epidemic? Ask a Patch Pro

Get answers from a medical doctor, a specialist in traditional Chinese medicine, and two public health professionals.

The numbers behind this winter's influenza epidemic can look really scary. It's sickened thousands and killed at least 27 in Minnesota alone, including a 14-year old St. Louis Park high schooler who was first hospitalized on Christmas Day. To top it off, the flu strains being passed around this year are spreading even further and faster than in most years. All together, it can make you worry that the next person to sneeze on you at the grocery store could give you the bug. It's the kind of worry that leaves you asking questions. How contagious is influenza? What can you do to steel yourself against the virus? How does a flu shot or an immune-boosting substance even work? To answer all your queries, Patch has asked a team of experts to …

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South Metro News Roundup

Flu Outbreak at 'Intense' Level Across Region

In other big headlines from the past week, Burnsville has a new city councilwoman and Lakeville's school board has a new leader.

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top recent stories from throughout the region. Here's a look at stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our our neighbors across the South Metro, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full story, click on the headline link.   UPDATE: Flu Floods Fairview Ridges With Patients—State Death Toll Tops 27 Hospital officials report that a surge in flu patients has left the medical center in Burnsville with few empty beds.   Sold! Seven Space Age Homes in Apple Valley Of the nine homes sold over the last week, seven date from the 1960s to 1980s. Apple Valley-Rosemount's Most Striking Photos of 2012 As we head into the new year…

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UPDATED: Flu Rates Skyrocket in Minnesota; 27 Deaths Now Reported

More than 1,100 hospitalized; Minnesota Department of Health urges precautions.

  This flu season is proving brutal in Minnesota, with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) now reporting 27 deaths in the state, including 23 that officials have been able to confirm as flu-related since Dec. 30. Since the start of the influenza season, 1,121 people have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, according to the MDH reports for the 2012–2013 season. That number includes 401 hospitalizations for the week ending Jan. 5. Dakota County is no exception; Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville is reporting a shortage of available beds due to severe cases of the flu, and the Apple Valley Urgent Care and Quick Clinic is seeing call volumes and patient visits up 20-50 percent over typical levels at this time of …

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