H1N1 deaths down, but centre warns against taking it easy

Report continues to call state epicentre of swine flu

Report continues to call state epicentre of swine flu
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Health officials in the city are patting themselves on the back for a good show after the decline in the number of H1N1 deaths in the city, but a report by the emergency medical relief section of the Directorate General of Health Services has pointed out that it isn't the time to relax yet.


Data received from Centre shows state is still epicentre of swine flu

According to the report based on data received from the Central Government, the state continues to be the epicentre of the swine flu epidemic with the city recording maximum number of deaths.

According to officials, of the 128 deaths that were reported across the country between August 30 and September 5, about 45 deaths were reported from the state which was the highest followed by Gujarat with 32 deaths.

"The disturbing trend is that the number of deaths overall across the country has increased. Even though positive cases and deaths are fewer within the city, those being affected on the outskirts and rural areas are increasing," said Dr S B Nadoni, senior regional director for health and family welfare for the Maharashtra, Goa and Daman and Diu regions.

According to official data, in the week between August 22 and 29, about 89 deaths had been reported as compared to more than 30 per cent rise in death count a week later.

"The number of positive cases has been dropping sharply and that's why maybe the guard has been lowered too. People think that vaccination cover is huge and that's why they are safe.

But this new report from central government is worrying. Even if we are better off than a few weeks ago, we are still far worse than the other states,"said a senior official from the city's swine flu control room.

Two Women Die

Two women V Chakravarti (50) and Nirmala Dubey (65) were declared dead due to swine flu on Monday late night. Both were suffering from cough, cold and had been admitted to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital at Pimpri and Jahangir Hospital near Pune railway station few days ago. Both were tested H1N1 positive, said Dr Uddhav Gavande, deputy director, state health services. This has taken the death toll due to swine flu to 406. So far 10,544 were screened, 2,141 were given Tami flu as immediate treatment, six have been found H1N1 positive and 14 were put on ventilators, Gavande said.