New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) At least 23 deaths, including 15 in Rajasthan, due to swine flu have taken the country’s toll to 815, health authorities said Wednesday.

According to the union health ministry, at least five people – four from Rajasthan and one from Punjab – succumbed to the contagious virus Wednesday.

The remaining 18 cases were earlier deaths but confirmed on Wednesday. Of these 18 deaths, 11 were from Rajasthan, three each from Punjab and Delhi and one from Haryana.

With these deaths, Rajasthan has now 125 casualties. While Delhi has lost 60 lives.

However, Maharashtra remains the worst affected state in the country where at least 249 people have died so far. Karnataka is number two in terms of toll with 128 lives lost.

The country also witnessed 229 new swine flu cases.

With these numbers, nearly 24,500 people have already been tested positive for the H1N1 virus first detected in Hyderabad in May.

In terms of infections, Delhi is worst affected. The capital city reported 125 new infections Wednesday taking the total to 8,751.

‘There were also 125 new infections in the city. Of these, 58 were children,’ a health ministry official told IANS.