Mexican health officials said Friday that they had grossly overestimated the number of deaths linked to the H1N1 Influenza A virus, which has made its way to New York City.

Initially, it was reported that more than 150 Mexicans had died from the virus, which is commonly known as swine flu.

But on Friday, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova held a news conference in Mexico City, saying only 16 people are confirmed dead from the illness.

He said of the 700 samples obtained, 358 people have tested positive for H1N1.

The health secretary says that many of the deaths originally attributed to H1N1 were actually caused by pneumonia or other diseases.

Mexico received about three million facial masks from China to help prevent the spread of the illness.

In Mexico City on Friday, only about half the residents were wearing facial masks.

"I get news from my family back home, and they are tell me, 'Don't go out,' because it does seem serious over there," said a resident with family in California. "But here, no one is taking it that serious."

Other locals said they were pleased with the government's handling of the influenza outbreak.

"I think the government, the city government is controlling this and are putting all of the efforts to do it well," said another resident.

Despite the new statistics, all nonessential government offices were mandated to close on Friday and many private businesses were been urged to do the same. The economic impact was severe for many shopkeepers.

"A lot of people are not going to get paid for these days and the government doesn't think also that people have to support their family," said a local.

One family-run cafe named "El Popular Restaurant" closed most of its business and only left a small part open for takeout orders. The owner said he lost about 20,000 pesos - the equivalent of $2,000 in the United States and a large sum in Mexico - over the last few days.

"The sales go down 90 percent," said the owner. "[I need] faith and work, faith and work."

Many business owners said they hoped to be allowed to fully re-open by the middle of next week.