Swine flu cases rise to 344 in Uttarakhand, 64 reported in one day

DEHRADUN: With 64 more positive cases reported on Tuesday, the total number of swine flu affected patients reached 344 in Uttarakhand. The state has already reported 31 deaths due to H1N1 virus since January 03.

Chief medical officer, Dr Sk Gupta told TOI that the despite rising number of patients, the city hospitals are adequately equipped to contain the disease.

“The patients, admitted in various hospitals, are also showing improvement. The cases are high but we are prepared,” said Dr Gupta.

Meanwhile, the management of Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital dismissed the questions raised on certification given to their swine flu lab. The hospital administration claimed that the team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was fully satisfied with the quality and working of the lab.

“The questions that are being raised over the certification of the only swine flu lab of Uttarakhand at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital are totally baseless and false. As per the norms of the NCDC, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital is sending 5 to 10 % samples to them for cross verification and no difference has been noted in between in the results,” said Dr. Vinay Rai, medical superintendent of the hospital.

He added, “In fact, the audit of swine flu deaths carried out by the state health department found that tests and treatment of Indresh hospital is up to the mark.”