6 more cases of swine flu confirmed in N.S.

Six new cases of swine flu were reported in Nova Scotia on Friday, bringing the province's total to 14.

"These new numbers are what we expected," Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, said in a news release.

Strang said he "fully expects" there will be more people who test positive in the province, and possibly even some deaths. This is the case with all influenza outbreaks, he said.

The four new cases, as with all the cases in the province to date, are linked to an outbreak at a private school in Windsor. Cases began to emerge at King's Edgehill School after students returned from a trip to Mexico in April.

All 14 cases have been mild so far, and Strang urged Nova Scotians not to panic. He said people should wash their hands regularly, cough and sneeze in their sleeves, and stay away from public areas if they are sick.

He is not recommending that people wear surgical masks or seek out antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu. In fact, he said his department is asking doctors not to prescribe antivirals to people to prevent infection, as overuse could increase the risk of the virus developing drug resistance.

"It is important to remember that daily activities should continue as normal," Strang said. "It is safe to go to school, work and socialize, as long as you don't have any symptoms."