18 Dead of Swine Flu in Armenia, Health Minister Says

Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet session on Wednesday, Armenia's Health Minister Armen Muradyan said that the death toll in the country's recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, has reached 18.

Despite the rising number of fatalities, the official assured once again that the situation in the country is stabilizing and 99% of recovered flu patients check out of hospitals without any complications.

Muradyan also noted a reduction in ambulance calls for acute respiratory diseases: “7 patients with pneumonia remain in hospitals. Of the 124 pregnant women 94 are still under supervision, while the number of [hospitalized] children has decreased to 890 from 1066.”

Authorities will decide Friday whether there is a need to further extend the winter break at the country's kindergartens and schools, the minister added.