Sanne Magnan

There has been a significant uptick in the number of people across the state getting sick from influenza recently, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Because of this increase, the level of flu activity in the state is now deemed “widespread.”

Minnesota’s one confirmed case of the new flu is sending investigators looking in “concentric circles” for other people who may have the infection, according to state Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed Dr. Sanne Magnan to replace Dianne Mandernach as state commissioner of health today.  Magnan, the president of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, takes over a department that has been heavily criticized in recent months for failing to disclose health hazards related to mining.

“Dr. Magnan’s impressive credentials and hands-on health [...]