08 August,2009 03:39 PM IST | | Mid-Day Correspondent
Swine flu count: 68
Bangalore gears up to face the swine flu epidemic
If you thought you were safe and Pune was the only city that needed to worry then think again. With Friday's reports of 11 new cases in one day, the state's total is now up to 68.
Reports of confirmed cases of the flu have been coming in from Mangalore too, where 3 cases were recorded on Friday.
The Karnataka health and family welfare department has however decided to react swiftly. In what can be seen as a positive development, the department has agreed to allow private hospitals in the city to quarantine and treat cases. Two more Government hospitals will also be added to this list. The Government has also decided to open the sale of Tamiflu in the market and has already provided each private hospital with 100 tamiflu tablets. This should contain the flu for now, they hope.
The city is however worried. Will Bangalore be the next Pune? Will schools and colleges need to be shut down temporarily? The fact that the city is preparing ahead for a possible outbreak is laudable. But are we prepared enough, is a question that will have to be asked.
