The number of influenza A/H1N1 confirmed cases rose to 825 in New Zealand on Thursday, up 114 from 711 on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health said.

Wellington's total number of cases climbed to 275 on Thursday while the country's number of confirmed cases continued to rise as the health authorities remained vigilant.

About 30 people were now in hospital in the Wellington region, with one in critical condition.

"Testing to identify the exact type of influenza is now being carried out primarily to support the care and treatment of more serious cases or those at risk of more serious illness," said Deputy Director of Public Health Fran McGrath.

McGrath said the reported confirmed case numbers were now only a small proportion of the total number of people with the influenza.

"It is clear that the numbers are increasing rapidly and likely to continue to increase for some months yet. We expect to see many more cases of influenza," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2009)