World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the deaths due to H1N1 were of people who had contracted the flu earlier in the month, adding that flu cases have been declining in the Maldives.

Six flu patients have succumbed to the disease, with 222 out of 619 patients having tested positive. 20 patients are currently admitted at the health centres.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, WHO Maldives said that "the unfortunate deaths due to the flu, reported recently, were of people who contracted flu earlier in the month, especially in the week of March 13 when the seasonal flu peaked”.

However, it noted that the number of flu cases have been declining in the country as well.

“The number of cases and those with severe acute respiratory infections requiring hospital admission have been declining in the last two week following stepped up efforts by the Ministry of Health”, the statement reads.

WHO Maldives noted that it has been supporting the Ministry, to take “appropriate measures for early detection and treatment of flu, and prevention of its spread with good infection control measures in health centres and enhanced awareness among public”.

The statement highlighted that the government is offering flu vaccine ‘to the most vulnerable’, including the elderly, people who have undergone organ transplant or other serious surgeries, those with compromised immunity, chronic ailment, health workers and children between six months to six years.

WHO had, on March 23, announced its decision to provide 30,000 flu vaccines, in order to support the government’s efforts. In Wednesday’s statement, WHO said that the first batch of 1,500 vaccines is to arrive later this week.

READ MORE: WHO to secure 30,000 more doses of flu vaccine

Noting that “all efforts must continue to prevent, detect early and ensure appropriate treatment”, WHO said that it will continue to closely monitor the situation in Maldives.

While the first case was reported in January, spreading rapidly throughout February and March, at a press conference held on Moarch 13, Health Protection Agency (HPA) had said that despite some cases being reported, there was no cause for concern. Less than 12 hours after confirming the spread of the virus across the country, authorities revealed that the it was increasing rapidly, declaring national alert level at Phase Three.