THE DEATH toll from the Panama A (H1N1) flu epidemic reached 50 on Friday July 8, but the Ministry of Health says the number of  cases appears to be decreasing.

The epidemic has so far resulted in 2,266 people being admitted to hospitals, 2,000 of whom have since been released.

Health official Néstor Sosa said that despite the increase in the number of deaths, overall the number of cases appears to be decreasing, and officials think the epidemic is coming to an end.

However, he stressed that people should continue taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

The ministry has vaccinated some 1.7 million people.