Mexico City, the worst-hit region in the deadly influenza A/H1N1 outbreak, reported no new deaths of patients suffering symptoms consistent with the flu on Monday, while local hospitals also witnessed a net fall in flu-related inpatients.

The total number of hospitalized flu patients in the city dropped to 76 from 84, as more people recovered and were discharged.

City officials also reported that health centers had received more than 2,800 people with suspected symptoms of the new flu over the past 24 hours, which include high body temperatures, breathing difficulties, headaches and muscular pains. Among them, 12 were hospitalized, while 20 others were discharged from hospital upon recovery.

The city also unveiled a new five-level epidemic alert system, and said that current circumstances correspond to an orange alert, in the middle of the scale.

On Monday, local authorities lifted restrictions on gatherings.

"Museums, libraries, convention centers, religious institutions can restart their activities starting May 7, given that we are at orange alert," said Jose Angel Avila Perez, the head of city governance. "They will remain subject to sanitary measures."

Mexico City had ordered the closure of these institutions, as well as local gymnasiums, swimming pools and public parks in response to the public health emergency. Restaurants were only allowed to serve takeaway food.

"The alert system is going to be permanent ... because this virus is going to be present in the coming weeks and because it can mutate, we have to be alert," said Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon.

A green alert represents a normal situation, although city authorities must guarantee minimum levels of necessary equipment in case of an outbreak. The other alert levels are yellow, orange, red and red-plus, with measures ranging from face masks for only workers that deal with a lot of people, at the yellow level, to the complete closure of the city, with only emergency services allowed on the streets, at the red-plus level.

"We are going to undertake a major cleaning and sanitary control exercise in public transport, schools and the health system," Ebrard noted. "Our return to normal activities should be gradual, not all in one go."

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2009)