Singapore has confirmed 11 new Influenza A/ H1N1 cases, bringing the number of total cases to 77, the country's Health Ministry said on Thursday.

According to the ministry, the newly confirmed cases include one who appeared to have acquired his infection in Singapore.

The patient is a 26-year-old Malaysian male who is a permanent resident here. The ministry said that tentative assessment is that he may be Singapore's first unlinked local case as he has no travel history to a known infected area.

Unless further investigations turn up evidence otherwise, and if more such unlinked cases emerge over the next few days, this would signal the beginning of community spread in Singapore.

The remaining 10 cases involve travelers returning from countries with known community transmission of H1N1, the ministry added.

Singapore on Thursday also unveiled precautionary plans for the Asian Youth Games, which will be held here from June 29 to July 7.All participants of the games will be given a health kit with a thermometer, surgical masks and hand sanitizers. They will also be required to record their temperatures twice daily. Twelve isolation rooms at the Games Village that have been prepared to treat participants with flu symptoms.

Singapore reported its first confirmed case of Influenza A/H1N1on May 27. So far, 27 patients have been discharged. The remaining50 patients are still in the hospital and their conditions remain stable.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2009)