Minn. Health Department to report new flu stats

The Minnesota Department of Health is set to release updated statistics on the swine flu situation in the state.

The weekly updates are typically released on Wednesday, but was delayed a day while the department worked on its new statewide nurse hot line for people with flu symptoms.

As of Oct. 10, the department reports that 482 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with the swine flu - 222 of them since Sept. 1. Seven people have died.

From Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, 215 Minnesota schools reported flu outbreaks. There have been more outbreaks since, including a spike in Crookston that prompted the closure of the district's schools for a day earlier this week.