A total of 2,386 people have been infected with the influenza A(H1N1) virus, also called swine flu.
The symptoms of the flu include headache, high body temperature, muscular pain and breathing difficulty, among others. Many of those who died have been infected with the virus before April 23, the minister said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The government has declared a state of emergency following the outbreak of the disease.
Cordova said many of the infected people have been from the poor urban areas.
The tourism industry has been badly hit by the swine flu outbreak as tour operators have cancelled or postponed their scheduled activities.
The World Health Organisation said 5,728 people in 33 countries have been infected with the deadly virus so far.
Published 14 May 2009, 05:12 IST