Mexico says that the rate of deaths from the swine flu stagnates upon reaching the 152 deceased

Enlarge couple wearing surgical masks kiss each other goodbye as the woman is about to board a plane at the international airport in Cancun, Mexico

Masks are mandatory for use in almost all Mexico, as in this picture, the international airport Cancún.REUTERS

* The Health Minister said there was an "encouraging picture"
* Discover the first case was a child of 11 years who was saved
* There are still 776 people hospitalized in the Central American country
* The medical tests "quick" to anyone with symptoms
* In Spain there is a confirmed case of a young swine flu
* How some key questions and answers about the flu
* Read some tips on how to not get sick
* Check out the interactive world map with all cases

Go to photo gallery Travelers masks in a bus station in Mexico City

Travelers with masks in a bus station in city México.REUTERS / Jorge Dan Lopez
RTVE.es / EFE MEXICO 28.04.2009 - 07:34 h

The swine flu has already caused the deaths of 152 Mexicans, according to the balance offered by the Ministry of Health of Mexico, Jose Angel Cordova whose owner has underlined that has stalled the pace of deaths among those affected by the deadly virus.

Córdova, in joint press conference with Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa and Secretary of Labor, Javier Lozano, among other officials, asesguró that in the last three days the number of deaths has increased from six on Saturday, five and three on Sunday in the last few hours, apparently alluding to the confirmed deaths. For that reason, we considered that "an encouraging picture."

"There has been a reduction in the last hours in the last 24 hours, compared to the 25th (April), we had 141 cases, 26 were 119 and today was 110, has argued the minister, who has added "Fortunately there has also been a reduction in the number of deaths, 25 were 6, 26 were 5 and 27 were three."

The minister recalled that there were 776 people hospitalized in Mexico reportedly affected by the virus and is expected to confirm the diagnosis it was swine flu.

The data, Cordova said, are based on reports from the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSTE) and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), especially of that institution.

Moreover, it has argued that "Mexican authorities have acted with every opportunity, going beyond international requirements."

On the decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise the level of pandemic alert phase 3 to 4 on the scale of 6, indicated that essentially means "an intensification of mitigation actions" of the epidemic.

The minister also reiterated that the authorities do not know where the virus originated but recalled that the first case that raised suspicions was the woman's southern state of Oaxaca who died on April 13.

Then they discovered that there had been a previous case of a child whose life was saved in Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, eleven days before, but this was learned later that the outbreak, which affected other people, there appeared a new type of influenza, such as swine flu.

Evidence "fast" before the flu

According to Cordova, from tomorrow, the government will have equipment to perform rapid tests about 500 people a day with symptoms that occur in hospitals, and between Wednesday and Thursday, other equipment to carry out molecular tests.

The minister conveyed the condolences of the Mexican Executive to all families who have lost a loved one, while for its part Espinosa appreciated the support received from outside.

Espinosa stressed that the Phase 4 declared by the WHO does not in principle to the relations of Mexico with the rest of the world, in terms of trade and tourism, except for the recommendations that can make the governments of other countries, especially in terms of travel.

For his part, Lozano said that "we must continue with economic activity in the pace and as conditions permit in all sectors and industries," he added.

According to the Mexican employers, said absenteeism was now between one and three percent, although that percentage may increase from morning after the announcement that the suspension of classes that affect the capital, to neighboring State of San Luis Potosi Mexico and extends throughout the national territory.