ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Health reports another dozen flu-related deaths.

Officials say the 12 deaths were confirmed last week. That brings the number of confirmed flu-related deaths in Minnesota to 148 since the influenza season began.

Hospitalizations due to flu continue to decline in Minnesota. Health officials say 59 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza last week, compared with 72 the week before. So far this season, Minnesota has seen 2,784 hospitalizations.

Five nursing homes reported confirmed outbreaks of flu last week while nine schools reported outbreaks of flu-like illness.

Health officials have said the flu season has peaked in Minnesota. But they’re still encouraging Minnesotans to get vaccinated.