ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland recorded its first swine flu death on the weekend.

Health Minister Jerome Kennedy confirmed Sunday that a 36-year-old woman from the province's central region died Saturday night after contracting the H1N1 virus.

He said the woman had an underlying medical condition.

The province's Central Health authority said no other details would not be released to ensure patient confidentiality and to respect the wishes of the woman's family.

Kennedy later issued a statement saying the province would expand the group of people eligible to get vaccinated.

The high-risk group will now include parents and caregivers of children under six months old, and those looking after people under 24 years old with a compromised immune system.

The minister said vaccinations would continue to be offered to children between six months and five years old, people under 24 with chronic health conditions and pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy.