City and state health officials say that while H1N1 swine flu virus continues to spread, with most cases based around two high schools in Queens, all victims are recovering.

According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, there are now 49 confirmed cases of swine flu, also known as H1N1, and 16 probable cases in New York City.

Bloomberg says 47 of the cases are linked to St. Francis Prep School in Fresh Meadows, Queens. The other two are connected to travel to Mexico, where the outbreak began.

Out of the 16 cases under investigation, five are connected to St. Francis and another five are connected to P.S. 177, which is also located in Fresh Meadows.

Both schools are currently closed and it is not clear how many more students will be diagnosed.

Meanwhile, Good Shepherd in Marine Park, Saint Brigid’s in Bushwick and Bishop Kearny in Mapleton have closed as a precaution after several students displayed flu-like symptoms – none of which have been confirmed.

While the Department of Health said it did not request for the schools to close, parents say they'd rather err on the side of caution.

"That's what the principal is supposed to do, watch out for our children," said one parent. "I think they're doing the right thing and it should be done."

"Like I said, I'm glad they closed it as a precaution," said another. "I'll be glad next week when I know it's all over."

"One of the kids has some symptoms about the illness, so they're going to clean up and take some precautions," said a third parent. "And hopefully, in a couple of days, they'll have everything cleaned up."

There are also questions about whether a student at St. John's University had the flu. The university says one of its commuter students at the Queens campus is recovering from swine flu, but the Department of Health says that case has not been confirmed.

The health department is also looking into a probable case of H1N1 in a Pace University student who was recently hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. The student is said to be recuperating at home and has not attended classes since being evaluated. Test results from the CDC are pending.

Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden says that there have been widespread reports of people going to the hospital with symptoms, but only the CDC and Health Department can confirm cases.

Mayor Bloomberg is encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and that city activity should continue normally. However, he did mention that Casa Puebla has cancelled its annual Cinco de Mayo festival in Flushing.

Bloomberg said he does not recommend New Yorkers wear masks at this time. He also said that from his vantage point, subways appear to be safe.

The government says the first shipments from the federal stockpile of Tamiflu have already arrived at medical centers across the city and state.

Governor David Paterson says the number of probable cases of the H1N1 virus outside the city is up to eight, five of which are new. He says none of these cases appear to be serious.

"We are erring on the side of extreme caution here, but it's one of the reasons we ask the public to be more alert than alarmed," the governor said, "because in all likelihood, this is something that will just dissipate in the next couple of weeks. However, in that rare, rare case that it does not, we want to make sure that we're prepared."

Nationwide Flu Cases Put In Perspective

There are over 100 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness in 12 states, including 49 here in the city.

Several additional cases are awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease control.

Among those who may be infected is a member of the U.S. delegation that helped prep for President Barack Obama's visit to Mexico.

The White House says the aide to Energy Secretary Steven Chu is being tested for swine flu, along with members of his family. Currently, the energy secretary is not sick.

Presidential aides add the president has shown no symptoms of the virus and doctors see no need to conduct any tests. Obama was in Mexico two weeks ago meeting with the country's president.

The CDC says the median age of those infected in this country is 16 – with flu victims ranging from 22 months to 81 years old.

Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those of seasonal flu, such as fever, cough, fatigue and headache, but may also include diarrhea and vomiting.

Putting the flu in perspective, the CDC is reminding Americans the seasonal flu causes thousands of deaths each year.

"In the U.S., on average, there are 36,000 deaths from seasonal flu," said Acting CDC Commissioner Richard Besser. "So I think as we see this virus in more communities, as we see more people effected by this virus, we're going to continue to see a broad spectrum of disease from milder infections to more sever infections and, unfortunately, I do expect to see more deaths."

Border Crossings To Remain Open

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization yesterday raised its alert level for swine flu to phase 5, its second-highest level, as the number of cases across the country and the city continues to rise. Phase 5 means the agency believes a global outbreak of virus is imminent.

WHO says it will no longer be calling this strain of the virus "swine flu", after the agriculture industry and the United Nations food agency protested the term, saying it was misleading to consumers and prompting countries to order the slaughter of pigs. Going forward, the WHO will call the strain its scientific name, H1N1 Influenza A.

While the flu continues to ravage Mexico far worse than the U.S., federal officials are resisting calls to close border crossings.

The Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the borders, but says shutting them down will do nothing to reduce the spread of a virus that is already here. A new date has not yet been set.

Worldwide there are more than 250 confirmed cases, 97 of them in Mexico, with seven deaths.

The country has implemented aggressive public health measures – suspending all nonessential government and private business activity and urging people to stay in their homes.