Two people died of the H1N1 strain in Bourgas, becoming the latest victims of the influenza that has ravaged Bulgaria in recent weeks.

A 36-year-old pregnant woman succumbed to respiratory complications on November 16 after several days in the Bourgas hospital. The woman, identified by authorities as Magdalena Boteva, had lost her child to the strain a week earlier, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported.

Another victim of the flu, also in Bourgas, was a 32-year-old man who was admitted in the hospital and subsequently diagnosed with double pneumonia as a result of the H1N1 strain. He died on November 17 in the intensive care ward, Focus news agency reported on November 17.

On November 14, the Bourgas hospital admitted another pregnant women suspected to have contracted the new virus. In spite of her precarious condition, the baby was delivered normally and the infant is in good health. The mother, however, remains in a serious condition, BNT was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, all schools opened for regular classes on November 17. According to the BNT, "the emergency influenza leave for children and students is over, in spite of the fact that the epidemic itself continues".

Latest figures indicate that in some regions like Haskovo and Dimitrovgrad the rate of infection stands at 285 per 10 000 people, and it remains high across the country.

Only in the Bourgas Municipality, schools will remain closed for one additional day.