The nation's first H1N1 flu patient was permitted to leave the hospital yesterday after a week-long quarantine.

She had been quarantined at the Armed Forces Medical Command in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, since April 26, when she reported some symptoms of infection upon arriving in Korea from a trip to Mexico.

"I feel sorry that other people became sick because of me," said the 51-year-old nun before going out of the hospital.

"The symptoms were just like a light flu. Except sore throat and swollen tonsils, I could feel almost no pain. Because of that fact, I think, other people also need to pay more attention to mild symptoms. You know the saying that catching a cold is the origin of all diseases."

After completing her volunteer trip to a poor area in southern Mexico City, she returned to Korea on April 26. Together with other nuns, she conducted activities such as helping children learn Spanish, she said.

"I didn't have much knowledge of the situation there. People who accompanied me told me about the disease, so I tried to stay inside," she said.

"During the flight, I didn't make contact with anyone. I just had been to the toilet three times. I feel sorry that someone on the flight is suspected of being infected with the virus."

As she showed no further symptoms of infection, health officials decided to let her go following the recommendations of the World Health Organization.