Two more persons succumbed to the swine flu virus in Punjab on Thursday taking the toll due to the H1N1 virus to 19 in the State. The two persons were hailing from Bathinda and Muktsar districts.The total number of patients who have tested positive for the disease has gone up to 45, out of the 113 suspected cases. “The total deaths due to swine flu till date stands at 19 in the state,” said an official spokesperson of the state Health Department.
On February 9, the toll due to the virus stood at 12. People have been advised to report within 48 hours in health institutions for any flu related symptoms and get the confirmation of disease. They are also advised to stay away from crowded places and infected persons and adopt respiratory etiquettes of not coughing or sneezing in open and use tissue paper, handkerchief etc for the purpose.
The State health officials said that the situation is “under control”, and hospitals are well equipped to take care of patients and there was no need for panic. In this regard, the state health department has also floated a helpline number ‘104’ for any information.