Alamosa, Colo. (AP) The number of suspected salmonella cases linked to an outbreak in Alamosa has topped 200.

Public Information Officer Jim Shires says that of 216 reported cases so far, 68 have been confirmed by lab results.

Shires is part of a team from Jefferson County that arrived to help Alamosa officials respond to the outbreak, which health officials say may be caused by city water.

Officials plan to flush the water system beginning Tuesday in a process that could take several more days, before residents can use water straight from the tap again.

Health officials told residents to stop drinking and cooking with tap water last Wednesday, after tap water samples tested positive for bacterial contamination.