The Health Service Executive has said that the influenza outbreak appears to have peaked.
Nearly 5,000 new human swine flu cases were reported in the last week, compared with over 7,700 cases the previous week, according to the latest figures.
Six more deaths have been reported, bringing to 12 the number of deaths this flu season, and a total of 38 deaths since the outbreak began in 2009.
Of the 12 deaths from influenza this season, 11 patients had underlying medical conditions. Ten deaths were due to human swine flu and two were due to Influenza B.
The HSE says there is a delay in reporting deaths, as the cause of death needs to be confirmed.
As a result, it says further deaths are likely to be reported over the coming weeks.
There are 43 patients currently in hospital intensive care units with human swine flu.
Elsewhere, two more people have died from swine flu in Northern Ireland in the past week.
However, the Public Health Agency said the number of new cases was falling and there were 41 new confirmed cases last week, compared to 86 in the second week of this month.
A total of 23 people have died from swine flu in Northern Ireland, with 20 suffering from underlying health problems.
Dr Maureen McCartney, a Consultant in Health Protection with the PHA, said: 'It is reassuring that the number of new flu cases per week has once again more than halved.
'If the current trend continues, swine flu has passed its peak.'
Accident and emergency departments and primary care services are said to be coping with the situation.
Dr Liz Reaney, a Senior Medical Officer with the NI Department of Health, said: 'I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the families of those whose deaths have been reported this week, during what is undoubtedly an extremely sad time for them.
'The further decrease in the levels of swine flu circulating in Northern Ireland is very much in keeping with the picture across the rest of the UK.
'However, it is still important that the public do not become complacent and maintain high standards of respiratory and hand hygiene.'
