7 More Swine Flu Deaths Reported, NYC Total at 30
The Health Department quietly updated the numbers on its Web site Friday
Saturday, Jun 20, 2009 | Updated 2:00 AM EDT
AFP/Getty Images
People walk past warning signs as they enter Melbourne's Austin Hospital as Australia raised the swine flu alert level in the worst hit state of Victoria and warned more areas would follow as the national total topped 500, on June 3, 2009. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said Australia, the most badly affected Asia-Pacific country, now had 502 cases including 395 in Victoria. The vast majority of infections have been reported in the past week. Australia had only one case of swine flu just a fortnight ago but the outbreak has exploded since the controversial move to let infected passengers leave a luxury cruise-liner in Sydney last week. AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
Seven more deaths in New York City have been linked to swine flu, bringing the total to 30.
The Health Department did not make a formal announcement but quietly updated the numbers on its Web site Friday.
The city has refused to release details about swine flu deaths,and would only say that victims ranged in age from 25 to 64.
The number of confirmed New York City cases also rose to 1,083, with 803 hospitalizations. Officials believe many more have had swine flu because the city does not test everyone who has mild symptoms.
Officials said last week that thousands of New Yorkers have experienced flu-like symptoms since the outbreak began in late April.
They have maintained that there is no reason to panic and urged all New Yorkers to use the same common sense precautions as with normal flu.
Photos: Metro North Train Collision
