A total of 70 cases of Influenza A/H1N1 have been detected so far in the Republic of Cyprus, with 12 new cases confirmed in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday.

According to the ministry, 151 persons with flu symptoms had laboratory tests, and 70 of them have been diagnosed with A/H1N1 flu.

Meanwhile, health authorities in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north have confirmed seven cases of the flu.

However, the sunny island's tourism sector has seemingly not been influenced by the increasing number of the flu cases.

Clubs, pubs and restaurants in the southeastern area, where most of the flu cases were detected, remain busy.

Some British tourists, interviewed by daily Cyprus Mail, shrugged off any concerns about the virus, saying the problem was worse back at home.