Swine flu: One more succumbs, toll climbs to six

Swine flu claimed another life in the Capital on Sunday taking the total death toll to six this season. The patient, however, was also suffering from co-morbid conditions, said the health department.

The 50-year-old man succumbed at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where he was admitted for the past five days. He was shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital from Rockland Hospital, Dwarka, where he underwent treatment for three days. The patient was on Tamiflu capsules for six days before he succumbed.

“The patient was suffering from diabetes mellitus with hypertension besides bilateral pneumonia. The death was due to co-morbid conditions besides being infected with the H1N1 virus,” said Dr Charan Singh, nodal officer, Swine Flu, Directorate of Health Services (DHS). 

“The patient was given the required treatment and was on ventilator support as per protocol,” added Dr Singh.

With Sunday’s death, the total number of deaths climbed up to six. In late January, two women — aged 50 and 53 — had succumbed to the virus at Ram Manohar Lohia and Safdarjung hospitals respectively.

“Of the six deaths, in two cases the patients had mixed infections. In the remaining four cases, the patients were also suffering from co-morbid conditions,” said Dr Singh.

Besides, another 52 fresh cases of swine flu were reported on Friday. “Of the 296 samples tested on Sunday, 52 tested positive. With this the total number of cases has gone up to 907 this season,” said Dr Singh.

Since January, the Capital has seen a spike in the number of swine flu cases.   

Meanwhile, the health department has been holding review meets to take stock of the situation. Medical superintendents across the designated state-run hospitals were briefed to review the situation in the respective hospitals.