Swine flu toll reaches 7

The first Auckland deaths linked to swine flu have been reported, bringing the national toll to seven.

They were two patients who were in Middlemore Hospital's intensive care unit. Their deaths have not yet been included in the Ministry of Health's tally, which stood at five yesterday, after two South Island cases reported by coroners.

In one of the Middlemore deaths swine flu had been confirmed; the other was a probable case.

The chief coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, said the two South Island cases were:

A Christchurch man aged 49 with a background of asthma who died at his home last weekend.

A 46-year-old man who died at his home in Blenheim on or about July 1 and had pre-existing medical problems.

The ministry said New Zealand's total of confirmed swine flu cases was 1272 yesterday. On Tuesday, the ministry said 53 people were in hospital with the virus, of whom 12 were in intensive care.