Health Minister Juan Manzur declared that, in order to fight the H1N1 virus, the government was "beginning to apply all measures ordered by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to enhance our ability to react". His colleague for the Buenos Aires province, Claudio Zin explained that the vaccine would be available by the end of the year of for next winter."

Both National and Provincial Health Ministers held a joint press conference today, minutes after delivering 30 artificial respirators and 100 oximeters to Federico Abete hospital in the Malvinas Argentinas district (Greater Buenos Aires). By delivering such devices, "we are trying to enhance our capacity to react and to attend more people, if needed," Manzur said.

The Minister added that the use of health masks by people without symptoms is not recommended. "It only is recommended for health workers and people with symptoms", he emphasized.

Claudio Zin announced that the first vaccine test results will be known in four weeks. Taken into account that teams from all over the world are working on it, he concluded: "It could be that the virus isn't exactly the same in Europe, in the US or here. That is why we need to find out if it would be useful for us."

National Health Minister, Juan Manzur, had also reported 55 H1N1 Influenza virus deaths in Argentina and 2,409 confirmed cases by the Malbrán Institute. The Ministry increased special equipment and supplies in provinces for the H1N1 Influenza virus hospitalized people, which includes 800 thousand complete treatments of the antiviral oseltamivir and breathing machines. "By applying these measures we are strengthening the health system," said Manzur.

The Minister considered that "the virus in our country is still spreading easily in the City of Buenos Aires and the Province, with a bigger amount of confirmed cases and much more impact in children between 5 and 9 years old and between 10 and 14 years old."

Manzur confirmed that up to now there are 39 deaths and 764 confirmed cases in Buenos Aires Province, six deaths and 926 confirmed cases in Buenos Aires City, one death and 155 cases in the Metropolitan area, seven deaths and 95 confirmed cases in Santa Fe province and 2 deaths and 20 reported cases in Misiones province. Today, one more death was announced by media, the first in the Córdoba province.

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