Minnesota health officials have confirmed nine more flu-related deaths. That brings the number of flu deaths in Minnesota to 136 since the influenza season began. Hospitalizations due to the flu continue to decline in the state. Health officials say 72 people were hospitalized with influenza last week, compared with 108 the week before. So far this season, Minnesota has seen more than 27-hundred hospitalizations. Three nursing homes reported confirmed outbreaks of flu last week, while 22 schools reported outbreaks, including 1 school in McLeod County and 1 in Waseca County. Health officials say the flu season appears to have peaked in Minnesota.