Two patients are in intensive care with swine flu in Otago and Southland, information released by the Ministry of Health yesterday shows.
Further information from the Otago District Health Board was not available yesterday, but the board hoped to release more information today.
This is the first case of a patient with swine flu in intensive care at Dunedin Hospital.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said the swine flu virus might not have reached its peak in some regions, such as Otago and Southland, where swine flu hospitalisations were still low.
Figures suggested the pandemic could be declining in Auckland and Wellington, although the decline could be part of normal fluctuations with a new virus, Mr Ryall said.
GP consultations had increased in Otago and Southland in the past week, against trends elsewhere in the country where consultation rates had dropped slightly.
The news follows revelations from Dunedin coroner David Crerar last week that swine flu was believed to have contributed to deaths in Otago and Southland.
Final results of inquests into the deaths would not be available for "some weeks" and Mr Crerar would not give any further details, such as how many deaths were being investigated in connection with swine flu.
The ministry figures show that, nationwide, 52 people are in hospital, including 20 in intensive care, with swine flu, or its complications.
There have been 14 deaths reported by the ministry, where swine flu was a primary cause of death.
