Please stay away and do not mingle with those who are sick with flu-like symptoms.

This is the call from the Health Ministry as the total number of people confirmed with the Pandemic H1N1 continues to rise, with 8 more cases confirmed in the last 24 hours.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 81. The eight are all male, with seven of them confirmed in the Suva sub-division while one was recorded in Nadi.

That now sees Suva with the highest confirmed numbers so far with 46 cases, 22 in Nadi and 13 in Lautoka.

Media Liaison Officer Iliesa Tora said there is a need for people to practice social distancing at this time and be serious about the advice of not mingling with those already sick with flu-like symptoms.

Tora said the increase in numbers shows that people are not serious about the advise not to get involved or into contact with those who have flu-like symptoms. He adds this must change, otherwise we will be seeing a rapid rise, more than what we have seen in the past two weeks.