Of the new cases, 120 patients are in the south, 46 in the north and 28 in the central and Central Highland regions, reported the Preventive Medicine and Environment Department under the Health Ministry. 

The 10th victim was a woman aged 59 from the southern province of Ben Tre, who was hospitalised on September 16 with flu symptoms such as coughing and breathing difficulties. She was taken to Cho Ray hospital in HCM City one day later for intensive care and treatment. However, her health further deteriorated and she died on September 21.

The HCM City Pasteur Institute confirmed that the woman tested positive for the lethal A/H1N1 virus. The Ministry of Health said that it will consider the case very carefully before making the final decision.  

To date, 5,047 A/H1N1 cases have been discharged from hospital while the remainder is currently in quarantine for treatment. All are in a stable condition. 

The number of students contracting the flu virus has been increasing with the start of the new school year. According to preliminary estimates, the epidemic has hit nearly 100 schools nationwide, including 50 in HCM City.