The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed 54 human swine flu cases today, bringing the total tally to 172. Of them, 41 were local cases and 13 imported, involving 32 women and 22 men aged three to 55.

One of the confirmed cases is a 29-year-old United Christian Hospital nurse from the pediatric ward, who fell ill on June 13.

All patients have only mild illness and have not required intensive care nor developed serious complications.

Of the cases concerning schools, 26 secondary students of different grades and one parent are from Australian International School Hong Kong in Kowloon Tong, a 10-year-old girl from Holy Family Canossian School in the same district, and a three-year-old boy from Kowloon City's Pooi To Primary School's kindergarten division.

One 16-year-old Form Three female student from Kwun Tong's Evangelise China Fellowship Saint Too Canaan College became sick on June 14. The secondary school will suspend classes from tomorrow for two weeks.

Another 18-year-old girl studying Grade 12 at the Hong Kong International School in Tai Tam was also confirmed to be a swine flu case. The last day she went to school was June 12 while she fell ill on June 14.

Centre Controller Thomas Tsang said while 80% of today's cases are local ones, the trend is within expectations. He forecasts the number of local cases will rise, including cases at schools and institutions.

He noted as Hong Kong has clearly entered the pandemic mitigation phase, measures like flight contact tracing and isolation have turned to ineffective and will stop. The focus will shift to curing the disease.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said an across-the-board suspension of secondary schools will be considered if there are a large number of students falling sick. However, these schools should be prepared to advance the summer break at any time.