Mexico raises flu toll to 22 dead, 568 infected

"There are 590 positive cases, of which 568 people are alive and 22 are people who are unfortunately deceased," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said.

Mexico's toll from the A(H1N1) influenza virus has increased to 22 dead and 568 infected cases, Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said.

The previous toll, given earlier yesterday, was 19 dead and 487 infected.

"There are 590 positive cases, of which 568 people are alive and 22 are people who are unfortunately deceased," Cordova told a news conference late yesterday.

He said the tally resulted from lab tests on 1,523 suspect cases compiled since the outbreak of the swine flu.

Fifteen of the fatalities were women and seven were men, he said. Most died in Mexico City.

He also said there were fewer people being admitted to hospital, "and those cases are less and less serious."

The minister, who earlier Sunday said the epidemic had peaked April 23-28 and was now "in its phase of decline," urged the public to observe restrictions in place to limit propagation of the virus.

He said the government on Sunday had established a list of public recommendations -- particularly for restaurants, public transport and other enclosed spaces -- to be followed to ensure anti-flu standards.

"These are instruments for all the population, empowering it to keep itself healthy," Cordova said, adding they would be revised "constantly" on his ministry's website.