One more dies of swine flu, toll 6 this year

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 14

Fortyfive patients, out of a total of 115 suspected cases, have tested positive for swine flu so far. The virus has claimed six lives in Ludhiana district this year.

Besides precautionary steps, the Health Department is giving necessary medicines to the contacts of the patients. Dr Parvinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Civil Surgeon, said a patient of swine flu died yesterday but he belonged to other district.

“Till now, hospitals have received 115 patients of suspected swine flu, of whom 45 have tested positive. Six deaths have been reported in the district,” said Dr Sidhu, adding that taking precautionary measures, they have given medicines to 280 contacts of the patients.

“Friends, neighbours and members of the patients’ families have been given the precautionary medicines,” he said.

“We have 70 beds for Category B patients and 62 beds (ventilators) for Category C patients at various government and private hospitals,” said Dr Sidhu.

The Category C patients should get their HINI test done, get treatment under a doctor’s supervision and go for immediate hospitalisation, added Dr Sidhu.