ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is urging people to protect themselves against COVID-19, influenza and RSV as the holidays approach.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield held a conference call Tuesday to brief members of the media.
At the start, Malcolm said she wanted to "acknowledge that the last three years has been a tremendous challenge to our state, our nation, and to the whole world."
Malcolm said she understands that many people are "fatigued" with all of the health precautions, but risks still remain and the public should remain "vigilant."
Dr. Lynfield says that less than 20% of Minnesotans were up to date with their COVID vaccine.
She also said Minnesota hospitals are battling high flu activity.
Dr. Lynfield said after two mild flu seasons in 2020 and 2021, this year health officials are seeing a heavy surge of hospitalizations. More than 2,150 people have been hospitalized. That is twice the number of flu hospitalizations than the last two winters.
Health officials have also seen 900 flu outbreaks in schools and 40 outbreaks in nursing homes.
Dr. Lynfield said officials are also seeing more respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations that they have seen in years.
She said there is no vaccine for RSV but vaccines for the virus are in development.
Both Lynfield and Malcolm are urging people to keep following the health precautions that began during the pandemic.
Tips like wearing masks in crowded indoor areas, not going into work if you're sick, washing your hands throughout the day and staying up to date with your vaccinations.
"It's a reminder going into the holiday season how important it is to get protection before we gather," said Lynfield.