Heading into the holiday weekend flu and COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
New data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows COVID-related deaths are still relatively low, but nearly 100 new cases have been reported in December.
As for the Flu, hospitalizations have seen a 67 percent increase and there have been five more flu-related deaths since last week.
Epidemiologist Kathy Como-Sabetti says the best thing you can do to protect yourself during the holidays is get a vaccine.
"But even if you do get the vaccine, there is a chance that you will get ill," says Como-Sabetti. "And the first thing is, if you are feeling ill, if you're not feeling well, consider staying home or limiting who you are in contact with. And don't contact high-risk family members or friends."
Como-Sabetti says there's still good news because of this year's reliable COVID vaccine and the type of flu Minnesotans are battling this year.
"What we're seeing right now is what we call an H1N1 year, and these years tend to be slightly less problematic for older Minnesotans," she says.
Hospital capacities in the state are holding steady for now, in part because RSV cases are on the decline.
Age still remains a dominant risk factor for both illnesses and the CDC suggests children and the elderly take extra precaution especially when gathering in groups during the holidays.