The Weekly Influenza Epidemiology Report from NSW Health, released on Wednesday, said that since the move to the ‘Protect’ phase last month, the approach towards testing has changed.

The focus is now on testing those with more severe illness who require hospitalisation.

Therefore, confirmed cases are likely to be only a small proportion of true cases of H1N1 influenza 09 (swine flu).

As of Wednesday, there were 3173 confirmed cases of swine flu in NSW, with the highest number of confirmed cases in children aged between 10-14 years and 15-19 years.

Overall, two thirds of confirmed cases have been below 30 years of age.

On the local scene, 111 confirmed cases of swine flu have been recorded for the North Coast, with nine of those people being hospitalised.

There have been 17 deaths to date in association with swine flu in NSW.

Of these, 16 people had underlying chronic conditions, and the remaining case is under investigation by the NSW Coroner.

There has been a continued increase in daily presentations of patients with influenza-like illness to NSW emergency departments and flu clinics.

Although in previous weeks the Sydney metropolitan region has been most affected, over the past seven days regional and rural areas have become increasingly affected.

Anti-influenza medication from the national medical stockpile had been supplied to about 2700 GP practices around the State, and up to 50 Aboriginal medical services.

GPs in NSW were supplied with anti-influenza medication to distribute to people diagnosed with moderate to severe influenza, and people whose conditions made them more vulnerable to severe illness.

“People who are pregnant, obese, have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, lung, heart and kidney disease are at higher risk of complications from influenza and are encouraged to seek early medical attention so they can receive treatment with these medications, if appropriate,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

HealthDirect is a telephone health line - 1800 022 222 - staffed by health professionals who are able to provide advice on the management of influenza.

Dr Chant said most people could manage their symptoms by resting at home and would recover after a few days.