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Number of H1N1 deaths on the rise

Editor's note: Latest listings of flu clinic on the Fight the flu blog

The number of deaths in the southeastern Wisconsin attributed to the H1N1 flu virus continues rise, with officials in Racine and Kenosha counties reporting new victims.

None have been reported in Walworth County.

The Racine County Health Department reported its first H1N1-related death Wednesday.

Sarah Clemons, public information officer for the City of Racine Health Department told the Racine Journal Times that state labs have confirmed that the dead individual tested positive for H1N1, or swine flu, said

County and state health departments are not releasing the individual's name, sex, age, race or residence out of respect for the family, they said. Officials also would not confirm if the individual was an adult or child, or the exact date of the individual's death, which was sometime between Nov. 11 and Wednesday, according to Clemons.

Kenosha County has reported its second death, according to the Kenosha News.

The state Department of Health Services said Wednesday 11 more deaths were confirmed in the past week across the state, bringing to 31 the number of deaths statewide since last spring.

Kenosha County Nursing Director Cynthia Johnson said the Kenosah death involved an adult with underlying medical conditions. Johnson did not offer any further information about the victim.

Kenosha County reported its first swine flu death Oct. 30. That individual was described as a man in his 20s who had significant pre-existing conditions.

Earlier this week, Jefferson County reported its first death from the H1N1 flu, and Rock county reported two deaths in October.