The number of confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in New Zealand rose to 258 on Sunday, up from 216 on Friday.

The Ministry of Health said on Sunday that 213 of the confirmed cases were being reported in the past seven days.

Mark Jacobs, Ministry of Health Director of Public Health, said whilst most cases so far have been mild to moderate, over the coming weeks and months, there will be a big increase in the number of cases.

"If New Zealand has many cases of influenza A/H1N1 overall, like we expect, this will mean an increasing number of people who will face more serious illness," he said.

Jacobs said ultimately there will be some deaths, as there are every year from seasonal flu.

Jacobs said the Health Ministry's focus was still on the change from slowing down the spread of the H1N1 virus to managing its impact.

A 30-year-old woman remained in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital as a result of influenza A/H1N1.

The woman, who has underlying medical problems, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit since Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2009)