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HP alarmed: 14 deaths, 98 positive cases of swine flu

Shimla: Grappling with extremely cold conditions, and snowfall paralysing life in the state, Himachal Pradesh has another problem in hand to deal with the sudden spurt in the cases of swine flu, which has already claimed 14 lives in past one month.

Then deaths have caused an alarm in the state's population living in snow-bound far-flung areas, which include a snow-bound tribal belt.

Five more positive cases were admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) hospital Shimla on Sunday, said Dr. Janak Raj, senior medical Superintendent.

He said former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was admitted to the IGMC hospital last week, was also

suffering from swine flu. He was fully cured and discharged later. As compared to last year, when nine cases of swine flu were reported, the number of labs confirmed positive cases has already risen to 98 in the state, of 311 patients taken to the hospitals with symptoms of the disease.

Three deaths were reported only on Saturday, reports says.

Alarmed over the situation, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur held two review meetings with top officials of the government and health department asking them to take all take curative steps to ensure that the cases of Swine flu are curbed.

State coordinator for the swine flu, Dr. Soman Negi said all guidelines have been circulated to all Chief Medical Officers and state's government hospitals to ensure timely detection and treatment of the patients.

Of 14 deaths, the highest number of five patients died were from Kangra – biggest district in the state. One woman from Una district died at PGI Chandigarh. There were three children below five year's age who died of swine flu and two in the age group of 30 to 40 years.

He claimed that outbreak of swine flu in Himachal Pradesh have no particular conditions though studies reveal that it's basically a cyclic effect.

When contacted Chief Minister said, "All necessary measures have been taken by the authorities. An isolation ward with 12 beds facility has been formed in IGMC Shimla and one more ICU of four beds facilities has been added to the existing infrastructure."

The opposition Congress, on the other hand, has accused the government of failing to take steps to save the lives of the people infected with swine flu. The state assembly's budget session beginning on Monday is likely to see opposition raising the issue.

"The government can't handle any matter whether related to the lives of the people or law and order. There is a complete collapse of the governance under the BJP, which is busy only in doling out favours to the RSS and Sangh Parivar, in terms of land leases," alleges Mukesh Agnihotri, leader of the opposition.

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