Chinese mainland reports 33,000 A/H1N1 influenza cases

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland reported 2,024 confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 influenza in the 48 hours ending at 3 p.m. Friday, bringing the total number to 33,064, the Ministry of Health said Friday.

So far, a total of 26,588 patients have recovered. Fourteen of 44 patients in serious conditions have been cured, the ministry said.

China is currently experiencing what experts called "a second round of A/H1N1 flu infection," as recent infections are more widespread and increasing rapidly.

The disease has also caused two deaths on the Chinese mainland -- an 18-year-old woman in Tibet who died on Oct. 4, and a 43-year-old woman who died last Friday in the northwestern province of Qinghai.