The flu bug is hitting Minnesota hard this year with well over a thousand people having been hospitalized with symptoms.

Sara Gabrich, Administrative Leader for Surgical and Specialty Services at Winona Health, says they have seen a steady stream of patients locally who have been hospitalized....

Gabrich says the most common additional complication is pneumonia and the vast majority of  people who have been hospitalized have been elderly.

Gabrich says visitor restrictions are in still place to protect patients and staff but urges patients to make sure to keep their appointments.

All Winona Health clinics have flu vaccine available for all ages and can be requested during a clinic visit in Winona, Rushford or Lewiston.