Mexico City - The number of dead in Mexico's flu epidemic rose to 152, Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos said. In line with his comments of recent days, the minister told television late Monday that only 20 of those deaths have been confirmed to be due to swine influenza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued different figures, saying only seven deaths in Mexico have been confirmed from swine flu, while another 19 non-fatal cases of swine flu have been identified.

The number of flu deaths in the North American country rose from 68 Friday to 81 Saturday, 103 Sunday, 149 Monday morning and 152 Monday evening.

However, the authorities have kept the figure of 20 confirmed cases of swine flu deaths constant.

On Tuesday, Mexico was set to start testing samples in its own laboratories instead of sending the samples to laboratories in the United States and Canada.

Meanwhile, supermarkets in Mexico City started to report panic buying in the face of the epidemic, amid rumours that the government may take more strict measures to hinder the virus spread.

Many people reportedly sought to stock up on tinned food, cereal, water and biscuits, as well as meat, chicken and fruit. Television showed long queues in chemists outside the capital, as people sought to buy face masks.

The National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores said in a statement that shops were to remain open as usual, and it asked that the population refrain from panic buying so as not to hurt the economy.

School and university lessons have been suspended across the country until at least May 6, although the Health Ministry did not rule out further extensions.

Mass events including shows, masses and football games have mostly been suspended or performed before empty pews and stands.