‘We’re overwhelmed’: Letter from Minnesota health system CEOs urges public to get vaccinated

At a time when Minnesota’s health care systems are already strained, here comes flu season.

And some health care experts are worried that circumstances could potentially be right for a "twindemic," with flu cases and COVID cases rising at the same time, or even patients that are infected with both viruses at the same time.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the number of flu cases has more than doubled in the past week.

"We missed a flu season, so everyone’s immunity is waning. The fact that we are less vaccinated and people are gathering in big groups, these are early signs that it could be a bad flu season to come," said Dr. Beth Thielen, an infectious disease doctor with M Health Fairview and professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The timing for any kind of a surge couldn’t be worse.

Over the weekend, nine CEOs of different Minnesota health systems took out full-page ads in newspapers across Minnesota describing the climate inside hospitals and clinics, saying, "We’re heartbroken. We’re overwhelmed."

"We are really at a critical edge," said Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO for Allina Health.

Wheeler was one of the hospital administrators who signed the letter.

"We wanted to put out this plea so people would know what it’s like inside and what our care teams are facing," she said.

"Please get vaccinated. Get your booster. It’s how we can help each other and how we can help our healthcare workers take care of us all," Wheeler said.