State health officials said Wednesday swine flu cases in New Jersey have decreased and is classified as “regional” rather than “widespread.” But Health Commissioner Heather Howard cautioned things can change quickly and encouraged all residents to get a swine flu shot. The health department reported one more swine flu-related death, a 45-year-old Bergen County man who had underlying medical conditions. The man — whose name was not released — was hospitalized Dec. 7 and died Dec. 26.

That brings the total number of deaths in the state to 40 since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus last spring. AP