MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines? running tally of confirmed cases of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus has reached 1,709, but the Department of Health (DoH) said 1,485 of that number, or 86 percent, have recovered and all were mild cases.

Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said on Wednesday that the DoH was expecting more "mild" cases to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

?I cannot say if we have peaked but I think the cases would still increase,? Villaverde told a news conference.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there were 1,709 confirmed H1N1 flu cases from the first week of May until June 27.

?As we anticipate more cases in the coming months, we must institute effective mitigation measures to save lives and prevent deaths to reduce the impact of the pandemic to our nation and economy,? he said.

Duque said 86 percent or 1,485 cases have fully recovered while the remaining 224 were still being treated?most of them under home management.

Villaverde said Duque ordered government hospitals and community health centers to be prepared for the ?surge in mild cases.?

Of the total cases, 92 percent are Filipinos while the rest are foreigners, mostly from the United States (17 cases), Japan (8), China (4), Korea (3s), German (2 cases) and one each from Australia, Canada, India, Iran, Lebanon, Sweden, Thailand and Turkey, said Duque.

About 17 percent or 285 cases have traveled to countries with A(H1N) cases such as the US, China, Japan and Singapore, he said.

By region, Metro Manila had the highest number of A(H1N1) cases, 72 percent of the total number of cases, Villaverde said.

With Anna Valmero, INQUIRER.net