NUNAVUT - A young female patient from the Kivalliq region died from the swine flu on July 15.

According to a press release from the Department of Health and Social Services, she had been medevaced from the Kivalliq region on June 24 as a high-risk patient.

She had been in critical condition for several weeks before her death.

This is Nunavut's first "official" swine flu death; another individual who was medevaced from Nunavut died June 30.

That individual, who had other health complications, had been a resident of Nunavut for at least two years but was recognized as a resident of both the territory and of Alberta.

Patients at high risk of complications from the swine flu, also known as H1N1, include pregnant women, and adults and children with chronic medical conditions.

Complications include pneumonia and other breathing troubles.

In the release, chief medical officer of health Dr. Isaac Sobol recommended people who develop flu symptoms who are in a high-risk group should telephone their health centre immediately for advice.

Thirty-three additional cases of the H1N1 virus were confirmed in Nunavut July 15, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak began to 405.

Of the total cases, 60 per cent are from the Kivalliq region, 35 per cent are from the Kitikmeot region and five per cent are from the Baffin Region.

The total number of patients treated in hospital has risen to 40, however, 37 of those hospitalized have recovered and are now released.

The Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services is reminding anyone who has flu-like symptoms to phone their local health centre or hospital for advice.