LIMA – Eighteen new deaths from swine flu occurred in Peru in the past eight days, raising to 80 the death toll from the AH1N1 flu virus, the Health Ministry said.

The latest deaths occurred in the regions of Lima (six), Moquegua (three), Tacna (two), Arequipa (two), Lambayeque (two), Ayacucho (one), La Libertad (one) and Piura (one).

A total of 487 new AH1N1 cases were confirmed between Aug. 17 and Aug. 23 in Peru, with the number of people infected with the disease now standing at 6,608, the ministry said.

Of these cases, 6,121 people have been given medical clearance, while 487 people are being treated for the swine flu, the Health Ministry said.

The infection rate is rising in 13 regions, has stabilized in five regions and is decreasing in six regions.

Lima and Callao are experiencing a generally dispersed infection pattern, while other regions are reporting infections in no more than 50 percent of their districts.

Hospitals and health centers remain on alert and have been stocked with adequate amounts of anti-viral treatments, the Health Ministry said. EFE