Pretoria - The Department of Health has confirmed that there are now 93 cases of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, in the country.
The numbers have climbed considerably since the first case was confirmed in a 12-year-old boy from the United States in June.
Gauteng has 51 cases, followed by Western Cape and Eastern Cape with 12 cases, there are five cases in the Free States and KwaZulu-Natal, the North West has four, Mpumalanga three, Northern Cape one confirmed. There are no cases in Limpopo.
The nine new cases confirmed on Wednesday were in the Free State, Gauteng and Western Cape.
Speaking to BuaNews on Wednesday, Chief Director for the Centre for Communicable Diseases, Dr Frew Benson said that once the country had reached 100 confirmed cases, South Africa would change is approach to dealing with the virus.
Not every suspected case of swine flu will be investigated, but rather people who are at high risk and have moderate and severe diseases will be put under surveillance.
"At the moment we are investigating each individual case, but when we reach 100 cases we'll put surveillance on people who are at high risk, moderate to severe cases or were there is a cluster of cases," Dr Benson said.
He also explained that the Department of Health would stop issuing statistics on cases and only release information on severe cases.
The doctor encouraged people with diabetes, asthma, pregnant women, obese and living with HIV and AIDS to do as much as possible to prevent getting or seeking medical attentions very quickly if they notice the symptoms.
To prevent the spread of the virus, people who are ill should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home when they are unwell, clean their hands regularly and keep some distance from healthy people as much as possible.
On 11 June, the World Health Organisation declared a H1N1 pandemic and urged countries to update their plans and reactivate rapid response teams and focus on mitigating the impact of the virus through appropriate care of patients.
Dr Benson said the department would continue monitoring and strengthening its surveillance and rationally using antiretrovirals and antibiotics.
He said the department was also strengthening the system for early detection and also its communication and public information through radio campaigns and regular press releases.
Dr Benson said there was no need to panic as this was the period for influenza.
"I don't believe that people need to panic, as a country, we are dealing with the influenza season."
He added that majority of the cases in South Africa were mild and the two cases with pneumonia have recovered.
