ST. PAUL — Minnesota health officials confirm nine more flu-related deaths.

The nine deaths were confirmed last week. That brings the number of confirmed flu-related deaths in Minnesota to 136 since the influenza season began.

Hospitalizations due to flu continue to decline in Minnesota. Health officials say 72 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza last week, compared with 108 the week before. So far this season, Minnesota has seen 2,703 hospitalizations.