SIX weeks before this country is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Ministry of Health has reported an Influenza A/H1N1 virus-related death at the San Fernando General Hospital.

A second patient succumbed to acute respiratory symptoms, but that patient tested negative for the Influenza A virus, a statement issued by the ministry stated last night.

’The rapid screening test for Influenza A came back negative for one of them, but further tests are pending. Confirmatory results for the H1N1 virus are also pending for the second one,’ the statement read.

The statement said that five more people are currently warded at San Fernando General with respiratory symptoms, four of whom are currently on respiratory support and are suspected to also be infected with the virus, commonly known as swine flu.

One of them tested negative for Influenza A through the rapid screening test, but confirmatory results for H1N1 for all five are still pending, the Ministry stated.

Ministry officials refused to state where the patients were from or if it was all lived or travelled together.

The release stated that the Ministry was closely monitoring the situation and would keep the public informed once they get further updates.

The news of the suspected swine flu death comes one day after Minister of Health, Jerry Narace, openly boasted of the ministry’s successful H1N1 surveillance system while delivering his address at the orientation ceremony for the 45 Cuban health officials at the Cascadia Hotel in St Ann’s on Monday.

Health officials are expected to host a press conference today to provide more details.