South Korea's health ministry Monday confirmed 76 more cases of influenza A amid growing concerns about the spread of the contagious disease after two deaths from the virus were reported over the weekend.

The new patients, including a high-school athlete and three people participating in an international event on the southern island of Jeju, tested positive for the H1N1 virus, according to the ministry.

The new patients brought the total number infected with the global pandemic to 2,165 in South Korea since it was first reported in early May. Most of them showed mild symptoms and recovered fully, with 480 still being treated at home or in hospitals, the ministry said.

Two Koreans died Saturday and Sunday from complications apparently caused by the flu virus, which has claimed the lives of almost 1,500 people across the world. One of the two was in his 50s and the other in her 60s.

South Korea has been relatively safe from the pandemic but infections are feared to accelerate as students staying overseas for language training or short-term trips return home as the summer vacation period draws to an end. They could infect other classmates and family members, experts say.

As the spread of the contagious disease quickens, the Seoul government plans to supply antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu, which could treat 5.31 million patients, to public health centers nationwide.